You've likely heard the saying, "We teach people how to treat us.” It holds some truth — how we treat ourselves establishes the foundation for acceptable behavior from others. Self-respect, self-awareness, and self-confidence significantly shape how we carry ourselves and affect our ability to earn others’ respect.
In this thought-provoking episode of #LightHerProject, co-host Vixen Divine and I explore this multifaceted topic and discuss a broad range of challenges on the journey to earning respect.
Our Personal Experiences
In the podcast, I open up about my struggles with anxiety and hearing loss, describing their effects on my pursuit of respect. Dealing with anxiety adds complexity to the equation; it's an additional layer impacting how I present myself in situations. My profound hearing loss, which also rattles my confidence, contributes to the challenge as well.
Vixen shares her personal journey, highlighting how she learned the importance of respect throughout her life. She notes that certain behaviors were ingrained from a young age as demonstrations of respect, stating, "There were certain things that you were told you didn't do, and you showed respect.”
She also offers valuable insight into the art of non-verbal communication, emphasizing that we are judged from the moment we walk in the door.
The Virtual Reality
Navigating electronic communications platforms, such as virtual meetings and emails, presents unique challenges in showing and earning respect. Seemingly small details — from being punctual and presentable on camera to paying attention and avoiding distractions during meetings — can profoundly impact how we’re perceived on Zoom and Teams calls. Similarly, in emails, tone and clarity matter, with typos potentially affecting credibility.
Also, setting boundaries can present a learning curve, especially in remote work settings. While prompt responses can set expectations, they might also inadvertently encourage unnecessary back-and-forth. Understanding and implementing boundaries effectively is an ongoing process.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find Out What It Means To Me
Tune into our rich dialogue as we dissect the intricate layers of gaining respect and redefining what it means to command respect in today's interconnected world.
"Psychologists tell us that your level of self-esteem — how much you like and respect yourself — is the key measure of how happy you are in any area of your life." ~ Brian Tracy
