Getting the Respect You Deserve

A great author, Dr. John C. Maxwell, said to me in a recent interview, “Young people don’t always get respect, but leadership is not about titles or positions. People try to lead by position rather than lead by permission. Every day try to add value to people – don’t be so position conscious – add value and be authentic.”

This really made me think....this is so true! We don't get the respect we deserve! We are constantly being forced into proving our skills, knowledge, talents and capabilities to those around us from positions that are often below them. But, you know what? It is also true that as we all aspire to become leaders in our communities and professions that all we really should be expending our energy on is adding value to people.

Dr. Maxwell's "add value to people" advice holds true throughout his 30 books and countless public presentations and I believe that if this advice is closely followed the world will soon be full of well-respected young professional leaders.