Have the Confidence To Treat Others With Respect and Dignity

Welcome! This blog and associated podcasts are inclusive, self-empowerment, personal development, and inner harmony-nurturing safe spaces where you will be guided to not only take up space, but simultaneously hold space for others. The blogs include more information than the podcasts. Here is a blog about how to have the confidence to treat others with respect and dignity.

I decided to expand on this important topic after I posted the paragraph below in my Instagram account and it was so well received. It is my hope that it will inspire people to have the confidence to treat others with respect and dignity,

Are you confident enough to treat others with respect and dignity? It is more than lending a helping hand or not belittling others. It means acknowledging that others have as much value as you do. It means realizing that every person in your path has the ability to impact you in one way or another. It means being willing to elevate others to another level without worrying whether you can share that space; it means believing in abundance. It means realizing that people are trying their best & even when it may not seem that way; you are willing to believe that they are capable. It means being able to look within and start by respecting yourself and your existence. 

When we think of respect, we may all have varying ideas of what that may look like and the places where it matters the most. Whether you feel undervalued and disrespected at your workplace or you are someone who isn’t feeling respected in your own home; it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we learn and know that we deserve respect AND we provide that same kind of respect to others. Respect has a lot to do with boundaries and before we touch on how we can nurture respect for others, we must take a moment to look within.

What is it about that person that makes me not want to respect her/him? Do you ever ask yourself this question? Remember, it is not about having to like someone. It is recognizing that every person is different and has had and continues to have different experiences that make him/her who they are at that particular moment. Even if you do not know them personally, it is our responsibility as human beings to realize that every person has value. We don’t have to trust them because trust must be earned, but we do have to respect them, as we would desire to be respected.

The next important question which should have actually been the first is, do I respect myself? Furthermore, is respecting yourself the key to respecting others? Self-respect is not easy to nurture and it is something that a lot of people do not pay attention to. However, we must take time to develop esteem, recognize our values, and realize our worth. When we do so, we avoid developing a limited and blame mindset for life challenges, but rather foster a solution-oriented mindset.  

If we commit to living each day with intention and include treating others with respect as part of our goal, then we become kind leaders with the power to inspire others to nurture inclusive cultures and environments. Granted, people have different experiences, different levels of competence, but I can guarantee you that any person across from you (be it in the streets, in your office, at a family gathering) can do at least one thing with better accuracy than you and vice versa. That is the beauty of differences, isn’t it? We are stronger together because of our diverse skills and strengths.

Let it be noted that the first step to treating others with respect is nurturing empathy.

Empathy is more than just showing kindness and compassion to others. It is taking a moment to see a situation or situations from the lens of the other person. It is another epitome of learning to respond rather than react. Empathy can be and must be nurtured constantly and even more importantly, it can be and should be taught to children from the youngest age possible and as they grow. As you put empathy into practice, it also transforms you as an individual. When you bring your proverbial presence into someone else’s space as they experience a moment that has brought them down, you are essentially saying; “I am here for you AND with you.” You are learning, listening, and being. It is unrushed, genuine, and authentic. You are as I always say, holding space.

The following are simply suggestions to assist one in enhancing their ability to respect others and I hope that they are helpful:

·         Part of being empathetic and respectful is learning to actively listen. If they are there with you, your body language will matter, therefore, turn to them. Let go of anything else that is pulling your attention and give them that moment. As you listen in and provide undivided attention, you are expressing your willingness to understand rather than just jump in and offer advice.

·         Take a moment after they finish and be honest. Don’t say you understand when you don’t. Try “I may not understand what you are going through, and I cannot fully imagine what you must be feeling or thinking, but you will always have me here.”

·         Acknowledge the person and the situation. Acknowledgement is such an important part of the validation process. Use acknowledging indications with your words and your body.

·         Find ways to get them to speak more about what they have experienced.

As we discuss best practices regarding treating others with dignity and respect, let us remember that other people will always behave differently than we do. There are actions that will annoy us, sounds that frustrate us, patterns that may exhaust us, the list is endless. However, on our non-stop journey to nurture tolerance and understanding, we embrace the fact that perfection does not exist. In doing so, we humbly realize that just as we “tolerate” the quirky parts of others, so do they have to tolerate ours. As we learn to respect others, we strengthen relationships within our communities which allow us all to thrive.

If you find that you have crossed the line (and we all will from time to time), find the humility AND confidence to admit you were wrong and apologize. It is the epitome of building bridges. I hope that this blog was helpful in helping you learn more about nurturing empathy, fostering a culture of compassion, and how to have the confidence to treat others with dignity and respect. As always, I would love to hear from you, therefore, please do leave me a message in the comments section below.

Yve (pronounced “Eve” / @secretsofyve) is a Public Health Specialist, Content Creator, Podcaster (www.secretsofyve.com ) and the CEO of the PATESI Foundation (www.patesifoundation.org) and PATESI LLC (www.patesillc.com). Her family’s blog is located at: www.parentsofdragons.com