Uchikura & Co., LLC

Respect Is Not a Feeling — It’s a Decision
Most people who know me would probably say the same thing: I don’t take advice easily.

 

Some may even go further and call me a stubborn or selfish CEO. That’s fine. In business, you hear a lot of opinions, and if you try to follow all of them, you lose your direction. So I’ve learned to filter.

 

But every once in a while, you hear something that sticks.

 

Years ago, I met a coach named Ralph Broksos through a Seattle executives organization. He was always sharply dressed — suit and tie, every time. One day, during a talk, he explained why.

 

He said he didn’t dress that way because he liked wearing suits.

 

He did it out of respect for the people he was meeting.

 

That hit me.

 

In today’s world, people often confuse comfort with professionalism. “Be yourself,” they say. And that’s fine — to a point. But showing up prepared, presentable, and intentional is not about you. It’s about the other person.

 

It’s a signal.

 

It says: You matter. This meeting matters. I respect your time.

 

That idea stayed with me because it reframed something simple into something fundamental. Respect is not just what you say. It’s what you show.

 

And here’s the reality in business:

 

Respect is reciprocal.

 

I respect people who respect me. And that respect is rarely about words — it’s about actions, preparation, and attitude.

 

If you want to build trust, don’t start with what you want to say.

 

Start with how you show up.

 

Because people notice.

 

And more importantly — they remember.