Why Respect Doesn't Have to be Earned

Our greatest communication struggle comes when we demand other people to see things the way we do and then disrespect them when they don't. 

I recently saw Lee Daniel's The Butler starring Forest Whitaker as a White House butler who served eight presidential administrations. 

Though unsure what to expect of the film, I assumed it would be a movie about race in America. To my surprise, it wasn't a movie about race. It was a movie about the complexity of human communication.

In the mosaic interconnect of communication, passion, and people, this film presented two powerful communication lessons we can learn.

Before we get there, allow me to take you on a fictitious journey into the thoughts of Cecil Gaines, the butler, and his college aged son, Louis. 

Respect: The Foundation To Good Communication

"Respect is a communication skill that bring the world together" 

~Leslie Dickson, CEO of ProVoice Inc, a leadership skills development company

Aretha Franklin asked for a little respect in her iconic 1967 hit song. It earned her 2 Grammys and eventually an induction into the Grammy hall of fame. Fast forward to present day and people are still asking for respect. 


The hallmark of a BRAVE Communicator is that respect is the foundation of all her or his communication activity.


First, you have to respect yourself, your reputation, and your growth enough to be as honest and guilt free as possible when you exchange ideas with others.

Second, you have to respect other people enough to learn how to listen, and  accommodate their communication needs.

60 Second BRAVE Brief: Are you a BRAVE Communicator?

This is Julia! Your BRAVE Communication consultant here with your 60 second BRAVE Brief. Today's topic: Are you a BRAVE Communicator?


Communication in its purest form is sending, receiving and interpreting messages. 

BRAVE Communication have is making deliberate, strategic choices in how you send, receive, and interpret those messages.

BRAVE Communicators have 3 distinct traits.

1. BRAVE Communicators are skilled. They learn, practice, and refine their communication techniques.

2. BRAVE Communicators use respect as the foundation for all communication activity.They say what needs to be said in a way that is respectful to themselves and to others.

3. BRAVE Communicators are change agents. Their interactions inspire people to make better choices.

I challenge you to learn a new communication skill, practice it, be respectful in how you use it and watch it ignite change in your circle of influence.

Follow me on Twitter @BraveCommLLC and like me on facebook/Bravecommunicationllc

Until next time, Live BRAVE!

Have A Vision For Where You Want To Go: #Blog4Biz

#Blog4biz Day 4: BRAVE Communication LLC Vision Board 

Today's challenge was to create a vision board based on my business goals. I have never heard of a vision board before so I had to look it up. The concept of a vision board came out of the Law of Attraction principle. Basically, like attracts like.

A vision board is a compilation of pictures. According the tutorial I found, you are supposed to browse images online, in magazines, and newspapers. Choose pictures that speak to you about a subject--in this case business goals--and then compile them on a board. Success driven people have used vision boards as a way of visualizing the future they want to have.

As a business, BRAVE Communication exists to provide relevant affordable communications skills training, coaching, and strategies to individuals and small to mid-size organizations.