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5 Keys for Leaders Who Want Respect

5 Keys for Leaders Who Want Respect

A popular saying in today’s urban dictionary is “Game recognizes game.” Let me give you some examples. One of the reasons it is so important guys who want to date girls meet the father first is because guys can’t fool guys. You see, game recognizes game. One of the advantages to hiring from within is you can’t fool people who have already done it themselves. Game recognizes game. And if you are involved in athletic competition, players can’t fool players. Game recognizes game.

I recently came across a quote by Larry Bird which proves this point. If you are unfamiliar with Bird, he was the iconic small forward of the Boston Celtics during the 1980s. Bird was a three-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion and member of the legendary 1992 Gold Medal-Winning Dream Team. Larry Bird had serious game and was highly respected.

Bird said the following about the subject of respect:

The following are Five Things Leaders Who Want Respect Should Read and Understand we learn from Larry Bird:

  • Leaders Wanting Respect Sacrifice Themselves for Others – “Leadership is diving for a loose ball.”
  • Leaders Wanting Respect Create Shared Experiences – “getting the crowd involved”
  • Leaders Wanting Respect Bring Out the Best in Others – “getting other players involved”
  • Leaders Wanting Respect Show Perseverance and Resilience – “It’s being able to take it as well as dish it out.”
  • Leaders Wanting Respect Must First Earn Respect – “That’s the only way you’re going to get respect from the players.”

What is one thing you learned from Bird that will make you a more respected leader?

This article originally appeared here.