Respect Doesn't Come With the Title

Being the leader doesn't mean you've earned respect.

Too many leaders take their titles for granted. They believe their place on the org chart entitles them to a certain level of respect, whether or not they've earned it. Today's workforce doesn't work that way. People have been burned too many times. They want proof of performance and character before they give their respect.

That requires leaders to reset their mindset, take responsibility for their actions and stay accountable for the effect their influence has on people and the organization.

Titles Versus Character

I've never been impressed by titles, though I've always respected the authority and responsibility that come with them. That doesn't mean I automatically respect the person behind the title. Respect, trust and loyalty are earned over time.

What I've always paid most attention to is the quality and consistency of a leader's character. Do they talk a good game, or do their words turn into actions that make things better for others? Do they play the part, or do they define it?

Respected leaders aren't always well liked. But they're respected for how they lead and for how they make the people around them better. People watch their leaders closely, often looking for reasons not to trust them, while hoping their leaders will prove worthy of respect and loyalty.

Here are five ways leaders earn it.

1. Set the Standard With Your Work Ethic

Actions speak louder than words, and respected leaders embody that. They despise false promises and people who make noise to get attention. Many leaders look impressive on the outside with little substance underneath. Respected leaders prove, consistently, that they're reliable inside and out.

They set the tone and serve as role models. Their work ethic shapes best practices and defines the organization's performance culture.

2. Take Risks, and Admit When You're Wrong

Respected leaders aren't afraid to take risks. They're bold enough to change the conversation and challenge the status quo. They sense when a paradigm shift is needed and have the courage to act.

The other side of that courage is humility. Respected leaders admit their mistakes. They make difficult decisions and put themselves on the front line, knowing the odds may not be in their favor. People respect a leader who owns a bad call far more than one who never seems to make one.

3. Sponsor High-Potential People

Respected leaders think about making others better. They discover the best in people and create a path for long-term success.

Early in my career, one of my bosses saw raw talent in me that needed refinement. He wasn't afraid to take a risk. He put me in situations that were beyond my experience, forcing me to make decisions and trust my instincts. When I failed, he lifted me up and guided me. He taught me everything he knew and trusted me to use it in my own way.

Not everyone thought I deserved his sponsorship. Eventually, I became the supervisor of some of the people who doubted me. My boss earned enormous respect across the organization, and other leaders began to follow his approach. Five years later, I became the youngest senior executive in the company's more than 100-year history.

That's what sponsorship does. It puts a leader's own reputation on the line for someone else's growth, and people notice.

4. Lead With Authentic Presence

The most respected leaders are the most authentic. Their executive presence is genuine. They make people feel that they matter and they welcome honest dialogue regardless of rank. They trust themselves enough to live their personal brand, and their reputation and track record precede them into every room.

5. Have Your People's Backs

Too many leaders are recognition addicts who want all the credit. They spend more time breaking teams down than building them up.

Respected leaders do the opposite. They recognize and reward their people. They learn how each person thinks, acts and innovates, and they look for ways to unleash that talent. They share the harvest of the momentum they build. It's the essence of being respected, not merely recognized.

Respect in a Remote and Digital World

Earning respect is harder when your team sees you mostly on video calls and in messages. People have fewer chances to watch how you handle pressure or treat others. That makes every interaction count more.

Show your reasoning when you make decisions. Follow through on small commitments. Give credit publicly and specifically. Be as consistent in a message as you are in a meeting. In a digital workplace, character is measured in patterns.

A Daily Practice

Earning respect is a journey. It asks leaders to deliver beyond what their role requires and to keep looking for ways to make the workplace and its people better.

Ask yourself: What will I do today, that I haven't done before, to earn more respect from the people I lead? Then do it. And do it again tomorrow. Respect is earned the same way credibility is: one consistent action at a time.

Want to explore these ideas further? Learn more about my work on leadership, identity and conviction at www.theglennllopis.com.