DAWN of Respect

Living on the east coast, one of my most favorite things to do is to sit on the

beach and watch the sunrise. I guess it is because I respect the sunrise for what it is,

the dawn of a new day. I have watched hundreds of sunrises on the ocean’s horizon,

and all are uniquely different. A new day deserves respect, first, because it is a new day,

and second, because it is full of potential and possibilities, kind of like humans. A

person deserves respect simply because they are humans possessing the intrinsic

qualities of inherent dignity, and value or worth.

A person’s inherent dignity and value are foundational to the practice of Authentic

Leadership. Truth is, these intrinsic qualities are the baseline or standard for giving the

gift of respect without a requirement for a person to “earn” it, and authentic leaders

understand this truth quite well. They give the gift of respect based on who a person is,

rather than what they do.

That said, there is no question that the flow of respect can be ‘deepened and

widened naturally’ by relational growth and development, and by one’s development of

knowledge, skills, and abilities. I call this the “DAWN” of deep and wide respect.

Growing admiration can be likened to the rays of sunshine as a new day dawns.

Admiration is the well from which great respect comes.

Growth of admiration will always transform one’s measured respect into

immeasurable respect. Admiration is key to the practice of deep and abiding respect. If

you want to be respected as a person, and especially as a leader, then live and lead

admirably.