Treat Everyone with Respect
ecorner.stanford.edu
ecorner.stanford.edu
When I was younger, I was your typical arrogant hot shot who could save the day. I knew it all, I had all the answers before people where done talking and I was a poor listener. Worst of all, if you did not agree with me I was a disrespectful twit. I am embarrassed of that person now to say the least. But with the wisdom of age, I look back at that guy and see all the opportunities I missed because I knew it all and in knowing it all no new external insight or intuition was entering my brain. When I finally saw my folly I resolved at that point in time, among other things, to never disrespect someone again. It was amazing how the dynamics of my relationship with people changed, problems became more interesting joys and pains where shared with others and I started to establish friendships that went beyond a working relationship.
Listing to the closing of this video really highlight why those friendships, based on respect are so important. In his line of work he met a person who latter went on to become a large VC. Being friends based on mutual respect, if he sees an opportunity he can go talk to this VC as a friend. His friend respects his view even if he may not see eye to eye on it, and if he is wrong his friend will give him the benefit of the doubt because his relationship is built on more than being the hot shot that picks the good deals. That hot shot is one bad deal away from not getting the audience with the VC. Anyway, I though it was an excellent talk that hit home for me. Some times we loose sight of the fact that the other person is human too.
I say hi and "thank you" to the fellow who empties my trash can at work every night because he's another human being, not because I think he can advance my career somehow.
I think the speaker in the video is just reminding us that being nice has concrete benefits sometimes.