Apr 07 2009
Respect: Of Men and Mice
Have you ever said, “I don’t like her, but I respect her.”
What is respect?
We’ve heard Rodney Dangerfield’s complaint that he gets none.
We’ve heard Aretha Franklin ask for some.
There are so many types of respect.
I feel that the most basic form is that of, “I honor your being.”
This concept is captured in namaste.
In yoga, namaste is said to mean, “The light within me honors the light within you,”
Respect can be based on hierarchy – who’s higher on the food chain, the Alpha Dog, The Big Boss, the one who has power.
That feels less like respect and more like fear.
I thought about respect because I heard a story. This story was about someone high up in his corporate food chain.
Let’s call him a Big Boss.
People lower on the food chain had been working on a Big Deal.
The Big Deal was nearing an important deadline. As the deadline loomed, all the Minnows and Mice realized that they needed some help. The Big Deal looked like it might fall through. They asked for an extension but were too small to be heard.
They needed someone Bigger. Someone who got more respect.
The Minnows and the Mice call upon the Big Boss.
When the Big Boss heard their plea, he was not happy.
He said, “This is a Big Deal! WE are a Big Deal! WE are a BIG customer!”
The Mice and the Minnows watched as the Big Boss swelled even bigger as he used his Big Voice to make threats.
“How dare this other company tell us no? How dare they tell us that they won’t extend the deadline?”
The Minnows and Mice were surprised. They had a good relationship with the Squirrels and Sparrows from the other company. All they wanted was for the Big Boss to have a chat with the other Big Boss.
As the Big Boss grumbled and rumbled, the Minnows and Mice worked frantically, calling for help from a Blackbird and a Newt.
The Big Boss continued to swell and roar.
The Big Boss was also a New Boss. Unfortunately, New Bosses have a tendency to swell.
With the help of the Blackbird and Newt, the Minnows and Mice were able to meet the deadline.
All the small woodland creatures were happy!
Minnows, Mice, Sparrows and Squirrels…happy-happy-happy!
The Big Boss was swollen with ire.
He demanded that the Squirrels and Sparrows respect his Bigness.
The squirrels and Sparrows bowed low to the Big Boss since that is what he demanded.
The Mice and Minnows watched and felt sad.
They felt sad because they learned that their Big Boss was small inside.
Yeah, we all just want a little respect.
Just a little bit, just a little bit.
When you meet someone, remember their light.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Haha I got lost in the number of characters in your story. But I know what you mean about people getting big-headed and needing respect. I much prefer those that are comfortable enough with themselves to not require demanding it.
Nobody tells a story like you MsQ! The “Mice” and “Minnows” swim a little differently.
How interesting that story turned out to be. One thing I learned as a project manager was to enlist the help of others when a deadline looked like it wasn’t going to be met. I’m glad those who were so worried tried another approach.
So many of those “big bosses” hide behind “big titles” that they hope to overshadow their “short comings”. I’m glad I’m not a big boss. It’s lonely at the top.
Where did you go MsQ????
Derek: People who demand respect usually don’t respect others all that well!
Speedy!! (Parts 1 and 2): I’m glad you enjoyed my story. As far as where I’ve been – I’ve been busy!! Work is non-stop but it’s good to be working. I’ve been wanting to write but my free time is currently spent ..relaxing and having fun!
UT: I don’t know any “Big Bosses” – my guess is it takes a certain kind of personality to want to be one. I do know bosses at various levels and most of them tell me that they have no desire to become a Big Boss because they feel they will lose touch with people or they will have less time for their family or they want to avoid all the “politics.”
Yooo hooo! I sent you an email a little while ago. Hope you’re doing ok. I wonder if maybe I’ve got a different email address somewhere? Hope all is well!