Teaching respect for authority without being a doormat

3w ago·1 min read

Got into it with my boss yesterday. He was wrong and I told him so, but I did it respectfully and privately. Not in front of the whole office, not with attitude, just facts and a calm tone. One of my guys asked me afterward why I didn't just blow up on him. I told him that respect for authority and standing your ground aren't mutually exclusive. You can challenge injustice and still be a man of honor about it. That's what real strength looks like to me.

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Comments(6)

DDerek M.Regular3w ago

Exactly. Going private, keeping it respectful, telling the truth anyway - that's how you teach them authority matters but so does your own integrity. Good example.

LLarry P.Regular3w ago

That's the balance right there. Standing up for what's right but doing it with respect and dignity. Your kids are learning they don't have to be pushovers to be respectful, which is huge.

CCarl S.Regular3w ago

This is what I'm trying to show my four kids every day. You can stand your ground and still be a man of character about it. Sounds like you nailed it.

KKyleRegular3w ago

This is huge. I struggled with this early on in my career because I thought respect meant never questioning anything. Took me a while to realize you can disagree and still be respectful. How did your boss react after?

MMark R.New Dad3w ago

That's the balance right there. Your boss needs to know when he's wrong, but how you tell him matters just as much. Sounds like you nailed it. My twins are watching everything I do, so I try to model that same thing at home with them.

MMasonNew Dad3w ago

Good on you for standing your ground. Respect isn't about just nodding and taking it. It's about being honest and direct while still being professional. That's what I want my kids to see me doing.