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We need more than just the desire to live productive and meaningful lives – we also need humility and respect – for ourselves and others.
Whether in our business or personal lives, we need to believe in ourselves and take pride in who we are. But, without humility, we lose respect for others and eventually, for ourselves.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the traits of attitude, pride, humility, and respect, and discuss how we can integrate them into our lives.
Attitude
Our attitude is a way of thinking or feeling that is reflected in how we make choices, and how we act and respond to others and to the challenges we encounter.
Our attitude affects our relationships, marriage, work, and social activities.
Pride
Pride is that feeling of deep satisfaction or pleasure we get from our achievements or from the qualities or possessions we admire. It’s that sense of personal value or worth and is based on the standards we have for ourselves – our dignity.
However, when we take pride beyond that, it becomes hubris, meaning we consider ourselves better than others.
Hubris is excessive pride or self-confidence. We see it exhibited in arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, self-importance, egotism, pomposity, and superiority. It is having a “better-than-thou” attitude. Hubris makes us forget the people who helped us along the way; instead, we take all the credit for ourselves.
In the Bible, pride is named as one of the seven deadly sins and is defined as feeling superior and smarter than other people. A prideful person is arrogant and disdainful.
When kept in check, however, pride can be a positive thing. You have self-respect and can feel proud about your achievements and about doing good. You can hold yourself in high esteem.
Holding oneself in high esteem is not bad in and of itself. Pride is used to maintain standards.
False pride, on the other hand, is when a person has difficulty accepting others, apologizing, forgiving, or letting go of grievances, especially between people we like or love. Pride says, “I’m okay; you’re not.”
Humility
Humility is the opposite of pride. It means having a modest view of one’s importance. You can feel good about yourself and your accomplishments and still be humble. Humility is a value opposite of narcissism, arrogance, hubris, and other forms of pride.
Humble people exhibit higher self-confidence in various situations. They also know their limitations. They are more helpful than people who are conceited or egotistical and can put the needs of other people before their own.
Humility is a character trait that must be cultivated. We don’t learn humility – we become humble people.
We develop humility when we spend time listening to others, practice mindfulness, and focus on the present instead of the past.
- Humble people are grateful for what they have.
- Humble people ask for help when needed and seek feedback from others.
- Humble people take time to review their behaviors for prideful language or action.
An attitude of humility is one of the most significant predictors of someone who is respected.
Humility allows us to cope with anxiety better. We have higher self-control and excel in leadership. We are better liked and respected and become more successful in life.
Respect
When we respect someone, we accept them as they are and for who they are.
We appreciate and value them as friends and colleagues. We admire their abilities, attributes, and achievements – basically holding them in high regard.
We show respect by listening, encouraging, congratulating, and saying “thank you.”
Respect is an unspoken way of communication that builds strong relations between people. Respect is an attitude we develop as we nurture interpersonal relationships. It avoids judging others simply because they have a different point of view. We can listen, disagree, and find ways to respectfully bridge our differences.
We demonstrate respect when we treat people with courtesy and politeness. We listen before expressing an alternative point of view. We encourage others to express their opinions and ideas. We think before speaking and we practice compassion.
Without respect, relationships will struggle. If we show respect, we will cultivate respect in return.
Do you respect yourself?
We often have mixed feelings about ourselves. We want to feel good about who we are. Yet, at the same time, we feel stupid or hopeless whenever we goof up or make unwise choices.
When we’re constantly angry, we have difficulty respecting ourselves. Because we aren’t comfortable with who we are, we tend to be reactive. When others upset us, we immediately go on the defensive and attack.
We become a prisoner to what others might think or say. We believe that the world determines whether we can be successful.
We ask ourselves, “How can I respect myself when I constantly make mistakes?”
Can we feel okay about ourselves – can we respect ourselves – even when we make mistakes?
Can we respect ourselves and still be humble and repentant when called for?
And, at the same time, can we respect the rights of others?
Yes, we can.