Respect. Aretha Franklin famously asked for it in song. Rodney Dangerfield went to hilarious lengths to claim he got none. Actually, respect is a big deal. If you鈥檙e a manager in any workplace, respect from your team signifies its trust in you. As one of my aforementioned role models, U.S Army Major Richard Winters, wrote in his memoirs, 鈥淭he key to a successful leader is to earn respect鈥攏ot because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character.鈥� Here are some of my thoughts on earning your team鈥檚 respect through leadership.
When your team succeeds, resist any temptation to toot your own horn. It鈥檚 not a good look. And it鈥檚 especially not a mark of leadership. There鈥檚 likely nothing that comes across quite as distasteful to a team as a manager who takes credit for what is, rightfully, a group effort. Good managers understand it requires a collective effort to reach goals. Team members know this, as well. Spread the praise where it鈥檚 due; it reinforces a team concept and communicates respect for everyone involved.
Why did Harry Truman keep a 鈥淭he Buck Stops Here鈥� desk sign in his office? It was a reminder of his accountability as president of the United States. Leaders also earn respect by taking responsibility for their actions and advocating for their people. The interests of the team and its success is always at the forefront of their thought. They don鈥檛 pat themselves on the back after making great decisions. Neither are they quick to point fingers when things go wrong. If we鈥檙e worthy stewards of our managerial positions, it will inspire confidence in our teams.
There鈥檚 no stress when telling someone they鈥檝e gotten a raise. That鈥檚 ear-to-ear-smile kind of news! But to lead, managers must also be able to deliver the not-so-pleasant messages, too. It鈥檚 not an easy task but one that, on occasion, must be done. Even if the intention is to be kind, you shouldn鈥檛 dance around a tough subject in order to save someone鈥檚 feelings. As a professional, I have found people are generally appreciative when difficult messages are communicated in both a direct and, yes, a respectful manner.
Throughout my long career in business, I鈥檝e understood that a team鈥檚 respect for a manager is not automatic. Respect is crucial to successful leadership and, as Richard Winters suggests, earned through behavior rooted in character. If you鈥檙e privileged to have the title 鈥渕anager鈥� on your office door, be conscientious of the way you treat your team. Support them. Trust them. Encourage them. In time, you鈥檒l find that the respect you鈥檝e offered to your people has earned you the respect they return.