Setting Your Own Value
The respect you receive isn't what you deserve. It's what you've taught others to give you; your power to shape it.
We often believe respect should be automatic, something given freely based on our inherent worth. However, respect operates more like a social currency, with rates established through countless small exchanges.
When someone tests your boundaries with a dismissive comment or interruption, your response sends a clear signal. Do you address it immediately? Let it slide? Your reaction becomes a template for future interactions.
This doesn't mean aggressive confrontation. Setting boundaries can be done with calm clarity: "I'd appreciate if you wouldn't speak to me that way" or "I wasn't finished making my point."
The most respected individuals aren't those who demand acknowledgment, but those who consistently, quietly reinforce their standards. They understand that teaching others how to treat you is an ongoing practice, not a one-time declaration.
This perspective isn't about victim-blaming. Others' disrespect always reflects their character, not yours. But recognizing your agency in these dynamics is empowering. You may not control others' initial behavior, but you significantly influence whether it continues.
The most valuable respect isn't freely given – it's the respect you've taught others is non-negotiable. It's earned not through demanding it, but by demonstrating what you will and won't accept.
What standard are you setting today?
