15 Ways To Make Other People Respect You

People should respect each other by default. However, sometimes we need to try harder so that others don't belittle or undermine us.

Here are 15 ways to earn respect from other people:

1. Stand up for your rights.

Even adults can bully other adults. When you feel mistreated, dare to speak up. Show others that this type of behavior is not accepted by you.

2. Avoid quick emotional reactions.

Connecting with your feelings is a positive and powerful trait. However, your quick emotional reaction is usually not the wisest one. Don’t react immediately in moments of fury and confusion. Give yourself time to process your emotions and respond in a healthy way.

3. Say 'no'.

Know your limits – energy, money, and time, for instance, since they always seem to be in short supply. Know the things you care about, and prioritize them. Say no to the rest. There's no reason to always try to please others.

4. Don’t waste other people's time.

When you have an important meeting, you should be well prepared, avoid small talk and stay on topic, so that you don't waste your colleagues' time.

5. Know your own morality.

Give an important amount of thought to your own moral compass. What do you really believe in? What do you value? Clarify that to yourself and do your best to live according to your own principles.

6. Respect the moral codes of people around you.

Even if you disagree with somebody’s values, it is critical to respect them in following them. Don’t try to convince a vegetarian to eat meat, for instance. Nobody really wants to be converted from their deeply held beliefs.

7. Treat others with kindness and equality.

No one respects somebody who kisses up to their boss and then is rude to the taxi driver. Don't forget that we are all equals.

8. Stand your ground.

Don’t devalue your own dreams and thoughts. Assert yourself. Being kind and listening actively to other people is something you should do, but without forgetting who you really are. If you disagree, express it. People appreciate sincerity.

9. Don’t gossip.

Gossip might be fun, but it's also a thing that makes other people lose their respect for you. You should support other people's privacy and feelings.

10. Be honest when you apologize.

Apologize when you've done something wrong. Don’t do so if you don't feel guilty. When you say you’re sorry, you must mean it. Your apologies should always be thoughtful and sincere.

11. Keep your promises.

If you promise to be somewhere at a certain time, then do it. Show people that you are trustworthy and respectful of their schedule. They will then depend on you and respect you back.

12. Take action.

Don’t always wait for somebody else to take the lead. Be proactive in discovering solutions to issues and following the things that you want. If you like someone, ask them out. Don’t beat around the bush.

13. Stop being too nice.

Distinguish kindness from being way too nice and doing anything you are asked for. Trying to please everyone won’t get you very far. Being a pushover is highly undesirable and not respected. If you’re too nice to everyone, some people may even think you’re not genuine.

14. Practice humility.

There are going to be times when you won't be right, or you won't succeed at something. Appreciate the lessons life teaches you and realize that you're not the best at everything. Confidence comes from practising humility and learning from your mistakes.

15. Be open-minded.

Being open-minded is not complex, nor should it be in conflict with your moral code. It just means that you recognize that you still have so much to learn and appreciate, and you keep on learning from others, even if you have a strong core belief system.