5 Ways To Command More Respect

“Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.” – R.G. Risch

You might feel like you’re not getting the kind of respect you deserve from others, possibly because of an issue of a difference in age, gender, or experience. Whatever the case may be for you, here are 5 ways to command more respect without alienating the people around you.

Follow the Golden Rule

The Golden Rule of treating others the same way you want to be treated is an ideal blueprint for how to gain the respect of others. When you treat people with respect, they usually reciprocate with the same level of regard.

Being respectful to others is as simple as being kind and compassionate. You can achieve this by saying thank you (even for the little things), showing empathy, and treating everyone respectfully, no matter who they are or what their rank or social status may be

Speak and act confidently

If you act the part, it’s easier for people to see you as confident and respectable. From the things you say, especially about yourself, to the way you carry yourself in general—it all contributes to respectability.

One good tip for speaking confidently in a way that garners respect is by avoiding self-deprecating words or those that indicate a lack of confidence, such as “maybe” or “I think.” Be more assertive and also use confident body language like maintaining eye contact and not hunching your shoulders.

Support your views with wisdom

Everyone has an opinion about everything and some are respected for theirs while others are ridiculed. Sharing your views with factual backup displays that you have good knowledge about what you’re talking about and helps people respect your opinion, and in turn, you.

It’s also good to be open-minded and welcoming of alternative perspectives. That encourages people to interact with you and makes you more approachable and easy to respect.

Work on yourself

People tend to respect those with impressive achievements and accomplishments. So a good way to build up more respect is by working on improving yourself. This can either be big moves in your career, such as getting more skills and qualifications to get promoted to a higher position.

You can also work on smaller improvements, like being more courteous and friendly and earn respect for being a good, likeable person.

Work on your self-respect

The way you see yourself plays a big part in how others see you. The same applies to respectability. Self-respect and self-confidence set the tone for the way you treat yourself and how others treat you too.

It also governs your behavior and forms your character, so when you respect yourself and your values, you’ll see that others will as well and even be inspired by you to adopt those principles they admire about you in their lives.

“If you want to be respected by others, the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.” – Fyodor Dostoevsky

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