There once was a seventh grader who lived about a quarter mile from his school. Between his home and the school was a cemetery. The lad typically ran through the cemetery before and after school and during lunch. As his courage grew along with his physical skills he attempted to jump taller and taller tombstones in the cemetery. One day his courage was greater than his skill. He jumped, but not high enough, toppling over the grave marker, cracking it as it hit the ground, but he continued running on to school. When he arrived at school, his seventh grade teacher, who had been watching his run through the cemetery from her classroom window, met him at the door, pointed out the improper nature of his actions, and had him remain after school writing on the blackboard 1000 times, "I will not desecrate cemetery property."

I have never forgotten what that teacher said to me. (And since that day, I have never misspelled the word "desecrate.") Respect for other people, their property and their rights. It is an important lesson for a young boy. It is a vital lesson for women and men in business and the professions.

If one is to have respect for one's own opinion and position, one must give respect to another's opinion and position. Finding opportunities to listen to others, to affirm the validity of their thoughts and respect their opinions is as important as respecting the personal desks and belongings of co-workers.

Winston Churchill once noted, "That long [Canadian] frontier from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, guarded only by neighborly respect and honorable obligations, is an example to every country and a pattern for the future of the world." Churchill thus reminds us that mutual demonstrations of respect for one another are more powerful than any weapon of aggression or defense.

Theoretically, we live in a democratic country with equality for all and with respect for individuals. Dr. Harold Langenderfer, adjunct professor of accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, points out that our democratic principles have attracted people from many countries who expect to be treated fairly and with respect so they can be productive citizens. Our democratic system assumes that we will go beyond our differences and treat people respectfully as distinct individuals.

Among the many insightful statements in our Declaration of Independence is the reminder that when people decide to separate themselves from other people, decent respect for humanity requires them to explain why they are separating. As the United States wearied of the oppressive style of the British, the young nation's leaders proceeded to explain why the nation had chosen to separate itself from Britain: "…a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." Such respect for others is not only proper between nations, it is also proper for individuals and corporations. In other words, respect for others requires us to honestly and directly tell others why we take action that directly affects them.

And so, what does this all mean to us in our business and personal dealings with others? You will have as many answers to suggest here as I. Consider these possibilities:

1. Respect for oneself goes before respect for others.
2. You can order, guide and direct another, but you cannot make another person respect you.
3. You can earn respect and you can give respect.
4. Respect for another person's ideas does not require that you agree, only that you honor the dignity and humanness of the individual.

We have a unique opportunity to move back to a true democracy by taking control of our lives and showing respect for others by treating them as equals.