It is terrific to succeed at work by respecting those in authority.
Many people are at work complaining about how much they hate the supervisor, how stupid the boss is and how no one running the company has a good idea about anything. For these people, respect for those in authority is a foreign concept. It is no wonder that people with this attitude find it difficult to succeed in the workplace. It reminds me of a line from a Staples Singers song, “if you disrespect everyone that you run into, how in the world do you expect anyone to respect you?”
I often hear people say that respect is earned, not given. This is simply not true. Respect is owed. Children owe their parents respect. Spouses owe one another respect. Employees owe their employers and supervisors respect. Respect must be given because it is owed. It does not matter that respect can be lost or that it is not earned by the recipient.
Let’s say you are the smartest person, the hardest worker, best person ever at your job. That does not excuse your lack of respect for those in authority. Respect for those in authority is a Biblical principle as well as good manners. There are a few synonyms for respect including:
- regard
- esteem
- reference
- deference
- consideration
Those in authority at your place of employment make it possible for you to collect your paycheck. That alone is sufficient for them to be treated with respect. When you give respect to those to whom it is owed, you are following the Golden Rule. In other words, you are giving people respect who are owed it and you know you would want to be treated that way as well. When you treat those in authority with respect you do the following:
- show up to work early enough so that you are at your work-station at start time, not entering the building
- do your job completely and with a good attitude
- do not verbally disparage those in authority during the day at the workplace
- talk to those in authority in a calm manner that reflects esteem
These rules of behavior for how to treat those in authority with respect does not mean you have to like those in authority. In fact, it does not matter at all whether or not you like or admire those in authority at your place of employment. Like has nothing to do with it. Respect requires that you exercise proper behavior even if you do not like those in authority. The main takeaway is that respect is something you do because of who you are and because it is right.
If you are at a point where you are no longer able to treat those with authority with respect, it is time for you to seek employment elsewhere. If you do decide to seek employment elsewhere, leave in a respectful manner because you may encounter those same people in a different place of employment. So, the question for you this terrific day is, what do you do at work to show respect for those in authority?
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