R-E-S-P-E-C-T: 3 ways advisors can earn it

2. Remind yourself it’s not about you. You will never be good enough or important enough that everyone will treat you with respect. Some people are busy with their own lives, some haven’t developed people skills, and others simply may be selfish goons. Just be grateful you’re not one of them. My friend Dan runs short-term medical missions to the middle of the jungle. People who know him respect him greatly. One day, he parked in front of a convenience store, bought a soda and then went next door to a pet store. The convenience store manager had his car towed from the customers-only space he was in. No respect. But Dan didn’t let the store manager’s opinion of him–and inconsiderate actions–color what he thinks of himself.

3. Understand it’s the system, not the person. Why does the tattooed Generation Y Starbucks employee greet you cheerfully and pay close attention to your order while a retail store employee ignores you completely to continue a conversation with a friend as a you stand there, money in hand? They’re both hired from the same labor pool, but the Starbucks system teaches people to give what they call “legendary service” while the retail store doesn’t. Not only is it often not about you, sometimes it’s not really about the other person, either. It’s just about the system you’re both operating in.