Draw the Line: Simple Boundaries That Command Respect

How a simple “No” transforms your legacy of unwavering respect

“I respect you.”

As compliments go, that statement is incredibly affirming. The Oxford Dictionary defines respect as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.”

Respect is garnered over time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have a deep relationship with someone to have respect. Respect is unique because it can be felt from afar without much, if any emotional connection. Your abilities, qualities, or achievements can all speak for themselves — how you are perceived is born out of those elements.

In the sporting world, you’ll see many instances where respect is the underlying feeling amongst all concerned parties. Boxing is a prime example of this. For instance, fighters such as Tyson Fury goad their opponent relentlessly in the build-up to the fight. There will be taunts thrown back and forth to market the bout as a ‘real fight’ — a grudge match between two people who must engage in physical combat to sort out their issues with one another. At the outset, it seems personal. Yet it rarely is. In most cases, once the fight is over, the two fighters will embrace and speak glowingly about the other…