Often when looking at our life purpose we put the emphasis on MY purpose. Every purpose includes others if not centering on others. When you make your like purpose all about yourself you set yourself up for an empty victory. There is no purpose within yourself.
You and I are made to live in community with others and the role of leader is best lived out through serving others. Leaders can fall into the trap of thinking that they are important. That when they are successful others will be successful. In reality, you are successful when those you lead are success. Their success is what makes you successful.
Where does respect come in to this discussion? Respect is captured in the time tested Golden Rule. Do onto others as you would have them do to you. Respect is getting into the shoes of others and anticipating their feelings and needs and then acting accordingly. Respects is assigning value to others, not for what they can do for you, but because as a person they have intrinsic value. Respect is a verb. It is about what you do when you interact with others.
Now let me wrap this together. When you put people as the target of your life purpose and treat them with respect you will find success. Success in not found in money, toys or vacation homes but in making others successful. That starts with anticipating how others will be affected by your words or actions. Adapting your choices to make them successful and then carrying out those choices.
Are you giving others respect? Today, as you go through your day be intentional about giving others respect. If you do, you will be a success story when you go to bed tonight. Now go be a success!
