Recently a client complained to me that due to the BTL practices, one of his team members was being “propped up on a pedestal.” I asked him to tell me more. The more he spoke the less I liked his perspective. He likes being the head of the system and perceives that he is losing some “respect” with certain members of his tribe. His perception is correct. His reasoning is not.
Here are a few hard truths about leading anything.
People, under your authority, will mostly respect your position. They just will. This is mostly fear based and won’t last for long.
Your people will respect “YOU” when they see you modeling the way, embracing pain and suffering, and embodying truth in LOVE. As a leader your position demands respect out of fear. This type of respect is highly overrated.
BTL leaders understand that strength, growth, and truth cause real respect. BTL leaders build the same three ingredients in those around them. A BTL leader props their team up on a pedestal and carries them in the direction of their dream. They just do. AND, when that leader needs a teammate to carry them, they will.
My heart breaks for this client. They have reversed the respect equation. The strong teammate that is getting stronger won’t last long here.
Want a better team? Become a better leader.
Model the way, embrace pain and suffering, and embody truth in LOVE. Or, simply get out of the way…
BUILT TO LEAD 
Good point Toto. We were just talking about this very topic earlier today.
When someone DEMANDS respect, it belies an underlying insecurity. Build a strong core (sCORE), and you won’t have to demand it you will COMMAND it, and inspire others to do the same.
In Built To Lead practices, leaders who sCORE model humility and courage in a way that inspires others on the team to do the same.