Respect — Meaning, Definition, and How This Core Value Shapes Your Life
What Is Respect as a Core Value?
Respect is regarding others’ dignity, boundaries, and contributions. People high in Respect create cultures of civility and mutual regard, especially in everyday interactions, meetings, and routine collaboration at work.
Why Respect Matters
Honoring Respect helps you:
- reduce unnecessary conflict,
- enable psychological safety,
- strengthen collaboration quality,
- honor diverse perspectives.
How Respect Shows Up (High vs. Low Expression)
High Expression
- listens without interruption,
- uses considerate language,
- honors time commitments,
- acknowledges others’ efforts.
Low Expression
- resorts to contempt or dismissal,
- uses belittling tones,
- breaks agreements casually,
- takes credit unfairly.
Common Challenges of High Respect
- over-accommodating harmful behavior,
- hesitancy to give direct criticism,
- conflating politeness with agreement,
- slower conflict escalation when needed.
Respect in Conflict With Other Values
Respect vs. Honesty
Honesty may be blunt; Respect seeks tactful delivery.
Tension: direct candor vs. considerate phrasing.
Respect vs. Freedom
Freedom expresses unapologetically; Respect modulates behavior for others.
Tension: self-expression vs. social regard.
Examples of Respect in Daily Life
- Framing critiques around behaviors, not identity.
- Arriving on time and prepared.
- Asking consent before sharing private stories.
- Giving full attention during conversations.