Why Respect is our Responsibility

Last night in the TCU vs. West Virginia game a great sign of respect was shown. West Virginia Head Coach Dana Holgorsen high fived TCU Quarterback Trevone Boykin after a series of slick moves he made on a run.

Boykin had a huge game (as he has done all year) and Holgorsen, rather than showing poor sportsmanship which seems to be the norm these days, decided to show Boykin the respect he deserved.1604-WATCH-Even-WVU-coach-has-to-high-five

After the high five he just shook his head in awe of the athleticism and talent of Boykin. He later called him the best player in college football, with respect to another player who he called that a couple weeks back.

Respect. That is the key here for me.

A day earlier in our country we had a different example of respect. This time it was lack of respect. The third Republican Presidential Debate aired on CNBC. This debate (and usually all debates) in a lot of ways showed what is wrong with our country.

The moderators decided to make the debate about them rather than the candidates. They asked condescending questions. They took jabs at the candidates and tried to bate them into fighting with each other. This is not a post about the so called “liberal media” or about my political beliefs. It is a post about respect. The CNBC moderators showed little respect to those candidates and in my opinion to the American people.

We need to hear about the issues, the plans and what actions will be taken. We don’t need that other junk. We should respect all the candidates on both sides because they want to step up as leaders. They want a job that I certainly wouldn’t want. They all deserve respect.

CNBC isn’t the only one at fault. When the candidates on both sides attack and berate each other they aren’t showing proper respect. When one of them refers publicly to the current President of The United States as “Obama” rather than “President Obama”, they aren’t showing him respect and no matter your opinions on him– he is our President.

When we argue with each other about our petty differences on social media we usually are not showing respect. Why do we have to argue? Why can’t we just talk about things? Why can’t we just agree to disagree? Am I a bad person because maybe I believe something different than you?

Some people say that respect must be earned. I don’t agree with that statement at all.

Respect is our responsibility as leaders. Every single person deserves to be treated with respect. We absolutely do not have to agree with each other. But we can respectfully disagree. We can hear people out. We can talk logically rather than emotionally. We can be good people.

I urge you to be more like Dana Holgorsen of West Virginia. Show people the respect they deserve even when you are losing. That is what leaders do. That is a part of personal responsibility.

Say what you want about Donald Trump, but one thing that I like is his campaign slogan.

“Make America Great Again.”

I like the slogan, but I don’t believe he or any of the candidates for President on either side will be the ones to do this. We, the American people, make America great. It is great today and it will continue to be great, but only through leadership and by taking personal responsibility for our actions.

We can be great by always showing other people respect and by becoming the leaders we are all called to be.

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Categories: Leadership, Personal Responsibility
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