#421: Respect is the Currency of Leadership

Tips to make sure you spend it wisely

Respect is the bedrock of any successful team. It’s not just a feel-good value; it’s a practical necessity that drives collaboration, trust, and results. In my upcoming post #422 Why Saying No is the Most Underrated Leadership Skill, I discuss setting priorities and saying no. But sometimes, leadership means realigning your priorities to match your team’s needs.

No matter what’s on your plate or how close you are to meeting company goals, there are moments when you must pause, listen, and respond. When a team’s concern bubbles to the surface, it can eclipse everything else on your agenda. Ignoring them risks eroding trust, and without trust, your ability to achieve those goals is in jeopardy.

Great leaders don’t just command authority; they earn it by valuing their team. Respect isn’t about agreeing with every opinion or softening tough decisions. It’s about showing up, listening, and engaging, even when the conversation is tough. Dodging a critical question doesn’t just sidestep the issue; it dismisses the people asking it. That’s a failure of leadership.

Here’s the lesson

Respect is a leader’s currency, built through consistent actions, staying present, addressing concerns, and valuing your team’s time and effort. When leaders show regard for their team, they create an environment where people feel safe to speak up, innovate, and take risks. Silence their voices, and you risk losing their engagement for good. A 2023 Gallup study supports this finding: high employee engagement, driven by trust in leadership, is associated with 23% higher productivity and 66% lower turnover.

So, how can leaders show respect, even in challenging moments?

Stay Engaged: Answer questions, even if it’s just, “I don’t have the answer yet, but I’ll follow up by [specific date/time].” Then keep that promise.

Acknowledge Contributions: A simple “I hear you” or recognition of effort goes a long way. Servant leadership requires empathy, and with practice, it becomes second nature.

Model Accountability: Admit when you’re wrong or have fallen short. This builds trust and shows that respect flows both ways.

Don’t Make Excuses: This is a simple one; when you become defensive and make excuses, it further exacerbates the issue.

Dismissing your team’s priorities undermines your influence as a leader. Leadership isn’t a title, it’s the ability to inspire and influence, nothing more, nothing less. Teams thrive when leaders treat them as partners, not subordinates.

That’s the Kole Hard Fact!

What’s one way you can show respect to your team today?

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Sneak Previews

#422: Why Saying No is the Most Underrated Leadership Sill

Oprah Winfrey inspired me to write today about priorities. Remember her iconic giveaway shows? “And you get a car!” she’d shout over and over, as the audience erupted in joy. Everyone left with something extravagant, no strings attached. Contrast that with Washington budget negotiations, where leaders promise “tax breaks for you” and “spending cuts for them” to cobble together votes. The difference? Oprah’s fans showed up for the experience, not the gifts. Politicians, however, often prioritize appeasing everyone over meaningful progress. Great leaders don’t fall into this trap, they focus on what truly matters. They don’t need to bribe their followers to go along with them.

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#423: Herding Digital Cats? How to Lead in the Gig Economy

I've often delved into the intricacies of leadership within traditional corporate structures, now it’s time to navigate the ever-changing work landscape. We've talked about the art of delivering feedback (remember that deep dive in #360?), the power of goal setting (channeling Ziglar's wisdom from #347), and the general pursuit of excellence within established teams. We’ve written about developing a culture that all the teammates adhere to, but here's the kicker: the world of work is rapidly reshaping itself. An often overlooked frontier of leadership challenges is emerging, I'm talking, of course, about the gig economy.