Word of the Week: Respect
by Owen McCabe, GMC Prep Cadet
Respect is one of the best ways to show your appreciation for someone. You can respect athletes for their skills that took years to perfect, you can respect people protesting for what they believe is right, and you can respect those around you in day-to-day life. Our country runs on respect and without it no tasks would be able to properly get done. If you are disrespectful to everyone not many will listen to what you have to say. They won’t because if you treat someone with no respect, they will have no reason to respect you.
Let’s say you had a boss that would always come late and would yell at you for no reason. You most likely wouldn’t respect him and be less motivated to complete the tasks he assigns you. I know all throughout elementary school we are told to treat others how we want to be treated, but sometimes people must earn their respect. I’m not saying you should disrespect strangers because they didn’t prove why they should be respected, but if you are a terrible person who constantly disrespects others then you won’t be respected by many.
Respect is a tool used by most leaders. If you build bonds on respect, then your team will be able to run properly. In the army both soldiers and leaders respect each other, and if there is a lack of respect throughout the team then action will be taken. If you respect others then not only will others respect you, but it will make your life much easier. If you were in a teacher’s class who you disrespected on the daily you would most likely find yourself in loads of trouble for simple stuff. There is a higher chance that you will get into trouble because if you are constantly disrespectful the teacher, they are more inclined to write you up as a way of payback. If you were joking around in a class, but you were always respectful to that teacher there a higher chance you will just be told to stop and not get written up. Even after school respect should still be practiced and demonstrated when you get a job.
Respect is a moral value that we need to exemplify if we want to get anywhere in life. Whether you are in school, working, or being in public respect is key to make connections. I hope the next time you even think bout being disrespectful you revert back to this essay and take a second thought about it.