works of words

Musing on respect and humility…

I have had the great honor of serving as an architect or knowing some very great leaders in my community and throughout my career. These might men, mostly men of God, have taught me how respectful people behave, and why they came to positions of real authority and power.

They where respected and followed because they where respectful of others and brave enough to choose a course and simply and directly go there. Others then followed, that’s the way leadership actually works.

Respectful people are curious about others perspectives and views and care to listen to them.  They need not entirely agree, but they glean insight and understanding from the experience and thoughts of others. Only in respecting the knowledge of others can we learn from them, gain their respect and go places together.

Respectful people do not feel the need to make others bigger or smaller than they actually are. Respectful people are humble about themselves, humble enough to not need to make other people small to lead them. They are comfortable with themselves.

Small people feel the need to make others smaller than themselves through demeaning, dismissing, or asserting: blame, shame, or guilt upon others.

Respectful-humble leaders, carry  themselves the responsibility of their position and do not lay the responsibility for mistakes on others.

Robert F. Kennedy said, “An error is not to correct a mistake”. We all make mistakes, humble, respectful leaders own them, learn from them and move on.

Humble people- real people, do not allow others to make them bigger or smaller than they actually are. Humble people stay their own size.   (1)

Real leaders don’t puff up to exalt themselves over others nor shrink down to satisfy others expectations of them. They stay their own size (1).  Humble people -real people have learned to just be themselves as they really are. Its ok to be ok with yourself. Its a good thing. In fact is what is known as mental health.

Remember also the wise words of Golda Mier “Don’t let your humility get in the way of your greatness”.!

May you learn to stay your own size, not make others bigger or smaller then they actually are, thus respecting others and yourself. May you become all your where created to be!. So be it-Amen

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Footnotes:

(1) From “Thank you very much” Holly Steel

With thanks to my humble and respectful friends, mentors & teachers; Santa Rosa’s Mayor David Berto (1987-1988); Dr. J.L. Hoeffer; Pastor Ken Auld; Dr. Samuel Elisha Tillery; Phil Downer; Art Cena;