Command Respect, Not Demand It.

At first I was going to write this post about learning how to "not care," or my take on what not caring really means. As I was doing some research I came upon an article which talks about how leaders are good at what they do. Real leaders are able to indirectly command respect from others around them because they possess innate and obtained skills which allow them to stand out amongst the rest and be a positive influence.

Now you may ask, what are these skills leaders possess to hold them in such high esteem? The article written by Christine W. Zust from EmergingLeader.com states the following topics: Walk the Talk,
Influence; Don't Manipulate, Include; Don't Exclude, Participate Equally and Openly, Back up Opinions with Facts, and Get a Real Image.

After reading this article, I re-read it. After re-reading it, what really hit me was the last point: Get a Real Image. Many of us put on different images for different types of people. Some act a certain way at work versus how they act at home or whatever. Having this type of routine only splits up our personality. Sooner or later, these different personalities clash inside of us. It creates a disruption and this disruption shoves people away by our behaviors. I've seen this happen to others and with myself.

In a sense, having that real image does sort of tie in with the no caring attitude. We can't be afraid to be ourselves with whoever we engage with. We can't be fearful of what we might say or do because what we say and do is what makes us who we are. Being who you are all the time is being genuine, unique, and a leader.

So my friends, if you wish to gain respect from your friends and strangers, don't be afraid to be you. Command respect by being the best you you can be and don't care about the thoughts of others. Be your own leader.

Make sure to check out Christine's article in the link above!

Why do I have to be first all the time?

Communication is what has helped us humans adapt and survive to the crazy conditions the world throws at us. From major weather disasters to huge political upsurges, we have been able to push through it all. But I'm not hear to bore you on the basis of such topics. I'm here to speak my mind of the topic of communication between personal friends and acquaintances.

 Everybody has close friends and people that they know through their friends who they don't consider as their friends. Those people, we don't necessarily reach out to them. However, when we do, it is usually a pleasant conversation. Although, they never want to reach us back first. Does that mean that we shouldn't want to reach out to them anymore? If they don't want to take the time out to see how you're doing like you did to them, why should they be worth your time?

This has happened to me many many times and still happens today. I reach out to people first all the time. I'm always the one to start a conversation and I take heavy interest in their lives and their well being. Why isn't it the same towards me? Am I uninteresting? Do they think I'm always doing well?

I do put on the attitude that I'm always doing well. I usually have a smile on my face and an upbeat attitude. But underneath, like everyone else, I want to feel appreciated by having people come out to me and see how I'm doing. I don't always want to be the one reaching out first.

Now this isn't a cry for pity and sympathy. I don't want that. I'm more concerned with if I should even reach out to people who don't want to reach out to me in return. I don't have to go out of my way to see how you're doing. I could be worrying about more important things. Just food for thought and seeing how y'all think about reaching out to people who don't reach out to you.