Everyone wants to be respected. They want their opinions heard and their presence acknowledged. Whether from our friends, colleagues, boss, or our romantic partner, we all feel the need to be respected. However, in this patriarchal world, it can be hard for a woman to gain respect from a man.
If you wish for a man to fully respect you, then you need to give him adequate reasons to do so. You need to hold your ground and stand strong with your beliefs and standards. You also need to be self-confident. If you don't know where to start, read on to find out how to gain respect from a man.
10 Ways to Make a Man Respect You
In life, you can't make anyone respect you. Instead, it's up to you to earn a man's respect. If you're looking for ways to get men to respect you, look no further. These tips will teach you how to make him respect you and how to maintain it, no matter the role he plays in your life.
1. Love and respect yourself
If you don't love and respect yourself, how can you expect others to respect you? Always keep a positive mindset and remember that you're worthy of love and respect. Don't focus too much on the outside, rather, work from the inside. Set your personal standards and boundaries. Do your best to stick to your beliefs and opinions. Lastly, remember to always take care of yourself and make sure you live up to your own standards each day.
2. Be respectful
"Wait, isn't this an article about how to make a man respect you?" That's probably what you're thinking right now. But you read that right. Before you can be respected by the people around you, you must respect them first. Remember, treat others the way you want to be treated. Try not to be judgmental of others and acknowledge their opinions. That said, you shouldn't let them walk all over you. You should still stand your ground. Show the men around you that you respect them and they will soon reciprocate the respect as well.
3. Prove your worth
Don't be afraid to show the world the real you. Recognize your strength and remember that you're worthy of respect. So, don't be afraid to prove that to the men around you. Prove your intelligence and capabilities through your work ethics and your attitude. When you have an opinion, be unafraid and speak out. Don't let any man think you're inferior. Show them that you can stand up for yourself.
4. Be kind
No matter how intelligent or talented you are, no one will respect you if you have a bad attitude. While you must stand up for yourself, you must never put anyone else down to do so. Never act condescending around others. Instead, show them kindness and compassion. Help and support others when needed, even those you might not treat you with respect. Doing this may help those who don't respect you to finally see your worth.
5. Be a good communicator
To earn men's respect, you need to be able to communicate well. Being a good communicator means you can deliver your views and opinions assertively without putting down others. Always be clear when stating your wants and needs. There's no need to beat around the bush or be vague. Lastly, to be an excellent communicator, you must be a good listener as well. Listen well when others speak their mind and respond accordingly.
6. Make sure to look good
While people shouldn't judge others based on how they look, sadly, that's the reality. People, especially men, tend to form opinions about someone based on how they look. So, if you want to gain respect from those around you, you must look the part. Make sure to maintain your hygiene and groom yourself to look presentable. Dress accordingly wherever you go. You don't always have to look like an uptight business person everywhere you go, but make sure to always look nice and presentable.
7. Learn to say no
Stop being a people pleaser. Remember, you can't please everyone all the time. If you cannot say no to the people around you, they will just walk all over you and treat you like a doormat. The word "no" is extremely powerful. Don't underestimate the power of saying these words. Stop complying with others, especially men when you don't agree with what they do or say. That will only make them perceive you as someone with a low value. So, never be afraid to say no when you don't want to do something or when you don't agree with something a man says.
8. Be honest
Honesty is always the best policy. This old adage is especially true when you wish to gain respect from men. Building trust and a good rapport are one of the fastest ways to gain respect from others. Nobody will respect a lying, two-faced person. So, always be honest with those around you. Remember, respect requires trust, and trust requires honesty.
9. Pursue your ambitions
As a woman worthy of respect, you must have a clear vision of your future. Make sure to have your own ambitions and life goals that you aren't willing to compromise. Don't hide these ambitions from the men around you. Instead, be proud of them and show your determination to achieve them. Men respect goals and ambitions. Thus, pursuing ambitions of your own will help you gain men's respect.
10. Take control
To gain respect, you must be able to take control, both of yourself and of the situation around you. Some men perceive women as being over-emotional and thus unworthy of respect. Prove them wrong by always keeping your emotions in check and acting rationally at all times. Also, rather than sitting around and waiting for men to take action, you must be more proactive and show them how capable you are. Whether it's at home or at the workplace, don't wait around for a man to solve a problem. Instead, face the issue head-on and show all of them what you're capable of.
Takeaway Message
Hopefully, our little guide on how to make him respect you has been helpful. Remember, it's up to you to earn respect from the men around you, whether they're your friends, romantic partner, colleagues, or he is your boss. Be a strong and independent woman who's worthy of respect. Stick to your standards, be honest, and always be confident. That way, you'll soon be surrounded by respectful people.