Respect is a necessity to leadership and respect is a two-way street. Respect is given and received. However, our challenge involves gaining respect.

People resent and resist leaders with questionable habits in their life. They resent leaders who speak in a condescending manner or participate in inappropriate activities.

An iron fist and failing to consider the needs of followers will cost leaders respect.

A few simple ideas can help us gain respect.

Be dedicated to the Lord. Focus on Christ and make the souls of others a priority. Our purpose must be to “pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”

Be consistent. Our words and our actions must match. Consistency is a virtue worth developing if we are to gain respect. Posner and Kouzes say; “the video needs to match the audio.”

Love people. We need to give more thought to demonstrating love. A deeper understanding of love might help us understand why it covers a multitude of sins.

We could argue whether respect is earned or demanded. However, applying a few simple principles to our leadership will answer the questions.