[September 14, 2025] A few years ago, I wrote one of my better articles that asks about a misunderstood concept. The question, What is respect? And, what is it about respect that we misunderstand? I’m reprinting this article because of what I see as a lack of respect by ordinary citizens in everyday encounters. But the idea is not as clear as we might think.
“The only way to making this world a better place is to respect each other.” – Geoffrey Geist, April 14, 2014
I believe that statement is false. I believe that we should respect only those who have earned it. If we respect everybody randomly, then what use is respect? Respect is limited to that category of people who have earned respect in some visible, specific manner.
Respect doesn’t mean you have to like someone or a group. But it does require that we acknowledge their importance and the successes achieved. This means we must be capable of prudent judgment and correctly recognize someone’s good deeds, authority, and value.
Therefore, respect is a deep admiration for someone based on their noteworthy qualities.
The idea of common decency between people is not the same as respect. Definitions actually matter. At a recent school board meeting I attended and wrote about earlier (see link), I heard board members talk about the importance of respecting students. They use “the need for respect” to justify mandating new school policies, which require us to treat everyone with respect.
The problem with this kind of thinking is that you cannot force me to respect you. That is simply not possible. There’s an old and correct saying: “Respect isn’t something that is demanded; it’s earned.” And respect can be lost. If you are corrupt, weak, a cheat, a liar, a thief, or a coward, you will garner no respect from others. That is the human way, and that will never change.
I give everyone a basic level of courtesy, and from that point on, you must earn my respect and then work to maintain it. Respect is also reciprocal; it won’t be given to someone who isn’t also showing the proper respect to others in return. That is why it is essential that we not confuse courtesy and compassion with the concept of respect.
The best way to conceptualize respect is to ask yourself how things could be great if they were great for you and if you were taking care of yourself properly. Take care of yourself as if you have value, and then work to extend that courtesy to everyone else. That is respect.
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Please read my books:
- “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
- “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Respect, there’s not enough of the right kind of respect.
This is the kind of useful article that I like to read because I can use the information as I go about my day as a senior Manager (who likes to apply leadership principles). I know that Gen. Satterfield makes a crucial distinction between leader and manager but we all know that these do overlap somewhat.
RESPECT AND SOMETHING THE LEFTISTS DO NOT HAVE
I missed this article yesterday. I was tied up at work. Why, do you ask? Because there were several employees who had posted unacceptable messages on their social media, mostly Facebook where they “celebrated” the murder of Charlie Kirk. Anyone who does this has serious moral issues and their posts have exposed this problem. I fired 5 employees, all Gen Z. So young, yet so dumb. And they’re paying a big price. We will keep their records and any future potential employer asking for background on these folks will,get an earful and it’s all, very legal.
Got that right.
Great blog, Gen. S. and thank you for those words earlier about Charlie Kirk, because we are all now Charlie Kirk and stand against the violent left that uses murder as their primary tool to try to defeat good, honest folks.
Good one Gen. Satterfield and I want to thank you for reposting this one. I read it a few years ago and thought, “OK, just another good article” but it is much more than that. After the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, my eyes are open even more. The WOKE people are not just people who think differently, those who celebrated Kirk’s assassination are truly EVIL and must be exposed for their horrible positions in life. I’m not advocating they be killed or jailed. But firing from their jobs and shaming them is a priority.
I like Gen. S’s def of respect better. Better understanding.
POW ….
The only way to making this world a better place is to respect each other.” – Geoffrey Geist, April 14, 2014
I believe that statement is false. I believe that we should respect only those who have earned it. If we respect everybody randomly, then what use is respect? Respect is limited to that category of people who have earned respect in some visible, specific manner.
GEN. Satterfield is spot on! Respect is earned.
Too many of Gen Z think “respect” is a right and owed to them. Remember Gen. Satterfield’s No. 1 Rule in “55 Rules for a Good Life?” Rule#1: The world owes you nuttin’. https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/ This is why we have these “rules.” Read his book and learn how to live a better life. We pursue responsibility, not happiness. Man is built to work, not lazy around the house in his underwear like the Gen Z generation.
Nailed it, Susie Q. 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Got the book, best $10 taht I ever spent.
Great repost. 💯💯💯💯