Hey everyone, and welcome to TopThink. Today, we will learn about twelve habits that will
make people respect you. Now, let’s begin.
Do you feel like people don’t give you the respect you deserve? Respect
is something we all want, but it’s not something we all necessarily get.
You want to be respected in the workplace by your coworkers and team members. You want respect in
your relationships — to be seen and valued by your friends and partners. Yet time and time again,
people neglect your abilities and disrespect your achievements. They overlook your hard
work and fail to recognize your value, so what can you do to earn their respect?
Some people, when they feel disrespected, become desperate for external validation,
but instead of improving themselves, they force other people to listen to and acknowledge them.
For example, they might exaggerate their physical presence or brag about their social status, saying
things like, “Don’t you know who I am?” If you don’t respect their authority, they might raise
their voice at you, criticize your character, or treat you as if you are somehow inferior.
People use these manipulative tactics to vie for power and attention, but all the power in the
world doesn’t guarantee them your genuine respect. The people we truly admire gain respect without
using fear or manipulation. When these people speak, we really listen,
not because we’re intimidated by them, but because they possess qualities that we deeply admire and,
in many ways, want for ourselves. Maybe they’ve climbed to the top of their field or mastered a
difficult skill. They might be charismatic leaders who inspire others or hard workers who achieve
what no one else could. We respect these people for their discipline, intelligence, and courage.
We respect them because they’ve overcome obstacles and surpassed expectations. They earned every
ounce of respect by achieving their definition of success, and you can follow in their footsteps.
Don’t just admire those leaders, innovators, and heroes from afar. In other words, transform
yourself into the kind of person you respect. Little by little, empower yourself to make better,
harder, and more valuable choices. Practice habits that develop you into the person you’ve always
wanted to be because the simple truth is... if you genuinely respect yourself, other people will too.
1. The Power of Disciplined Action Have you ever felt like someone was
trying to impress you? Maybe they bragged about some incredible thing they did or how strong
of a person they are. People talk like this when they want you to think highly of them, but their
words aren’t as impressive as they think. Most of the time, you won’t earn people’s
respect with words alone. What they really want from you... is action. In other words,
if all you do is talk, people are going to gradually stop believing in
you. But if you put in real, disciplined effort, it will make anyone respect you.
2. The Platinum Rule Most people have heard of
the Golden Rule: “Treat people the way you want to be treated.” But if you really want to earn
people’s respect, treat them, not how you want to be treated, but how they want to be treated.
This is known as the Platinum Rule, a subtle yet powerful technique to forge strong relationships
and earn people’s respect. To use the platinum rule, you need to pay close attention to the
people around you. Observe their likes and dislikes. Remember what they value and what
they don’t. Tailor your interactions to each individual. Show people that they’re valuable to
you, and you will become valuable to them. 3. Amplify Your Physical Presence
If you want to earn other people’s respect, you should first be proud of how you present
yourself. You don’t need to be the most attractive person in the world,
but you should feel comfortable in your own skin and confident about your physical presence. Why?
Because your physical appearance significantly affects how people perceive you and changes how
you perceive yourself. People who feel strong and capable are more likely to act strong and capable.
If you want to earn respect from others, build your strength and work on your physicality.
For example, a strength training routine will improve the impressions you make on others. Lift
weights, and be ambitious with your body. When you’re satisfied with how you present yourself,
others will take notice of you. 4. Mean Every Word You Say
Do you want people to take you more seriously? People may not respect or listen to you because,
like many people, you don’t consider the meaning behind your words.
You say whatever is on your mind, never asking yourself whether you mean each and every word.
If you want to be taken more seriously, take a moment before you open your mouth to think about
what you’re saying. Ask yourself if those words and ideas truly represent who you are or who you
want to be. You may not realize it now, but your words matter. Stand behind everything you say,
and people will start listening to you. 5. The Unconscious Power of Names
Names are more powerful than many people realize. When people hear their names,
they unconsciously pay more attention. They’re more likely to remember you and your name because
you made an effort to remember theirs. The next time you meet someone, make sure
you remember their name and use it naturally in conversation. An easy trick is to repeat
the person’s name back to them, showing people right away that you’re attentive and proactive.
With this simple habit, you’ll make better impressions and genuinely earn people’s respect.
6. Solve Your Own Problems Many people wait around for others
to give them purpose or direction. You’ll notice people sitting on their hands, claiming they’re
bored or have nothing to do. People who see this passive behavior assume you lack direction or
drive. Just because someone isn’t telling you what to do doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be done.
If you want to earn people’s respect, challenge yourself every day to be more
proactive. Recognize problems for yourself and solve them without direction or supervision.
Learn to overcome obstacles on your own, and people will stop underestimating you.
7. Embrace Your Failures
Let’s say you are leading a project you and your team have worked very hard on.
After months of labor, you come together to present your ideas, but the reception
isn’t as positive as you hoped. Despite all your hard work, the project is a failure.
Many people, in this situation, might blame others or criticize people who didn’t pull their weight.
But a good leader takes responsibility for their failures and inspires others to try again. If you
want to be celebrated for your successes, you must also take responsibility for your shortcomings.
It’s not always easy, but the people we respect embrace their failures and own their mistakes.
8. Stand Up for Others Few things are more admirable
than standing up for people who can’t stand up for themselves. When you notice someone
being mistreated, don’t be another bystander watching from the sidelines. Too many people
assume others will intervene, but if everyone thought the same way, no one would help anyone.
Embrace your ability to positively impact any person or situation. If you recognize a problem,
step in and make sure that everything is alright. It’s important to be calm and diplomatic,
especially in tense or confrontational situations. You don’t need to be a white
knight or a hero, but we all respect people who aren’t afraid to make a difference.
9. Share the Spotlight Nobody succeeds on their own. Even if your name
is written in lights, you likely have others to thank for your achievements. Don’t forget to give
credit where credit is due. In other words, share the spotlight with all the people who made your
success possible. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it also earns you loyalty and respect.
Sharing the spotlight tells people that you’re more interested in your team's
success than personal glory — and that’s a quality anyone will admire.
10. Exchange Mutual Respect
Respect is a mutual exchange. In other words, people won’t respect you if you aren’t willing
to respect them. For example, someone might be highly intelligent and successful,
but you won’t respect them or their achievements if they treat people badly. On the other hand, if
you meet someone who is humble and appreciative, you’re more likely to respect and admire them.
Whether you want to be noticed or taken more seriously, practice showing gratitude and
consideration to everyone you meet. By respecting others, they’ll develop a greater opinion of you.
11. The 5-Minute Buffer Do you have a bad habit of showing
up late? So many people damage their reputations and lose respect over a few minutes of lost time.
You may not think punctuality is that big of a deal, but showing up late sends a terrible
message to the people who are counting on you. Your lateness tells people that you’re careless
and that their time isn’t important to you. So, treat punctuality like a rule you’re not
allowed to break. Challenge yourself to show up at least five minutes early everywhere you go.
Five minutes may not sound like much, but showing up on time can transform how people perceive you.
12. Above and Beyond Most people do what
is asked of them and nothing more. They follow directions, stay inside the lines,
and satisfy the minimum requirements. But the people we admire take things to the next level.
Their goal, in every situation, is to surpass expectations. To do more than people expect.
These individuals work hard and invest extra time so that everything they do blows people away.
No matter what you’re working on, don’t be satisfied doing the minimum. Push one step
further. Go above and beyond. Because the people who surpass expectations...
are the people we admire most. Thank you for watching TopThink
and be sure to subscribe because more incredible content is on the way.