6 Tips and Tricks To Get Instant Respect

Hey, Psych2Goers! Do you often feel disrespected by those around you? Are you constantly irritated, because it seems like nobody ever bothers to give you the proper time of day? You may be doing and saying things that are causing people to avoid showing the respect you deserve. You want respect, right? But you’re not at all sure how to get it.

Here are ‘6 Tips and Tricks To Get Instant Respect’.

DISCLAIMER: This post is for educational purposes and is based on personal opinions. This post is not a substitute for professional advice, but general guidance. We advise you to always listen to your intuition and always do what is right for you.

#1. Speak with a Clear & Level Voice

There’s a common misconception that the loudest voice is often the one most heard. While you can certainly get people’s attention by yelling, that doesn’t mean you’ll also get their respect. If the thought of getting people’s attention scares you, it might just be because you’re a little short on confidence. That’s okay. There are ways to fix this.

Before getting someone’s attention, clear your voice of any potentially nasty phlegm that might have built its way up in your throat. Drinking some water helps too. Along with a couple deep breaths. Stand up straight, feet firmly planted. Once you’re good to go, really feel your voice flow from your lungs and out of your mouth. If you speak clearly and confidently, those around you will take note. Nobody likes to be yelled or screamed at. At less you’re at a punk rock show. In that case, scream away!

#2. Admit When You’re Wrong

Did your whole body just do one big cringe? Nobody likes to be wrong. You shudder at the very thought. Gross. Yuck. Totally nasty. But yes, sometimes you’re wrong. Believe it or not, but you’ll gain instant respect from someone when you admit it. Confidence is important to possess, but never to the level where it reaches pride. People that are super prideful are often viewed as unattractive.

According to Paul Ratner from BigThink.com: “…when their self-image is at stake, when they are afraid of looking weak and vulnerable, people often tend to double down. Their confirmation bias may make them overcompensate, refusing to acknowledge fault and consider only the evidence that supports their beliefs. What happens next is cognitive dissonance. That’s the psychological stress experienced by a person who gets confronted by having two contradictory ideas or beliefs.”

Admitting that you’re wrong in an argument with someone means that you do value them as another human being. Being open to someone else’s perspective is very wise. Others will likely be drawn to you, because you’re more willing to be an open book. Just make sure you’re not so willing to be so open and suggestible to others, that they take advantage of you. Then you’re a total doormat, and all your instant respect will be gone all over again!

#3. Value Your Own Time

Your time is the most valuable thing that you have. If you’re always giving it away freely to those around you, there are bound to be people that abuse this privilege. If you want instant respect, you must first respect yourself. Your time matters. If you’re going for coffee with a friend, and they’re late, that’s okay, it happens. But if they’re late again and again, and you just continue to excuse them, they’ll think this is normal behaviour and won’t respect you.

By no means do you want your friend to feel badly, but try voicing your frustration in a clear and level way from Point #1. Also look them in the eye while you’re at it. See! You’re learning! If you do all of these things, your friend will hopefully realize that being on time is something that matters to you. So in turn, it should matter to them too. Mad respect!

#4. Confident Body Language

When speaking to someone, where do your hands automatically go? Are they casually hanging loosely at your side? Or are they crammed tightly into the pockets of your skinny jeans? The way you sit or stand in front of someone can change whether they respect you or not.

According to Kendra Cherry from VeryWellMind.com: “Posture can convey a wealth of information about how a person is feeling as well as hints about personality characteristics, such as whether a person is confident, open, or submissive. Sitting up straight, for example, may indicate that a person is focused and paying attention to what’s going on. Sitting with the body hunched forward, on the other hand, can imply that the person is bored or indifferent.”

Try some different power poses in the mirror. This may feel a bit silly at first, but you could find that a new standing or sitting position suits you better. Others will hopefully take note when you’re more surefooted.

#5. Keep Your Promises

If you’re known as someone who keeps to their promises, that integrity will hopefully serve you well with others. You can do better at work or school if you keep to your promises. Like for instance, say you promise that you’ll study for a super big test, and you actually take the time to study for it, you’re much more likely to succeed.

By keeping your promises, friends and family members will know that they can rely on you when it matters most. You’ll be asked to help out more often. It feels really good to get that kind of recognition. Who doesn’t love being the one that came in clutch right at the very end? #ConqueringHero

#6. Call Out Bad Behaviour

Calling people out on their bad behaviour will very likely put you out of your comfort zone. In fact, it probably feels incredibly uncomfortable to even think about. Especially if they’re someone close in your life. Things like bigotry, sexism and systemic racism need to be called out in our society.

You have to stand up and fight for what it is that you believe in. Voicing your opinions under the right context is one of the best ways people can respect you. Even if they disagree with you, they can still respect you.

Final Thoughts

Are you now more pumped up? Totally jazzed? Good! Hopefully you’re feeling more ready and willing to take the world on, because it is indeed your oyster. What other ways can people instantly respect you that weren’t mentioned in this list? Please also take a look at another of our previous videos ‘6 Ways to Get People to Respect You (Avoid Being Taken Advantage Of)’.

Until next time!

References:

‘Why it’s Important To Admit When You’re Wrong’ by Paul Ratner (January 21st, 2021) https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/why-admit-when-you-wrong/

‘Understanding Body Language and Facial Expressions’ by Kendra Cherry, Steven Gans, MD. (September 28th, 2019) https://www.verywellmind.com/understand-body-language-and-facial-expressions-4147228

‘It’s Time To Call Out Bad Behaviours’ by Catherine Plano https://www.ellevatenetwork.com/articles/9662-it-s-time-to-call-out-bad-behaviors