Friday (April, 29th, 2011)
I returned home on Friday morning. I had spent eight days on my bike, slept in eight hotels, one ferry and two night trains. On arriving at home, the first thing I do is take a look at my (snail) mail. And there I find the new “brand eins” edition at the bottom of the pile. I pick it out and look at the title.
It says: respect and It Is About Time.
Naturally, immediately after arriving, there is no time to take a closer look at the magazine. I keep it for the weekend. However, the title keeps spinning through my head.
In a way, it is quite remarkable how Frau Fischer and her team always find a theme and catchword that really intrigue me. I am truly eager to read what the „brand eins“ has to say about respect. I wonder if our concepts will match.
For me, respect is a very important concept. It is often a central part of my presentations. Of course, you will also find the term in Wikipedia. Here is what it currently says:
Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected (e.g., “I have great respect for her judgment”). It can also be conduct in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Rude conduct is usually considered to indicate a lack of respect, disrespect, where as actions that honor somebody or something indicate respect. Specific ethics of respect are of fundamental importance to various cultures. Respect for tradition and legitimate authority is identified by Jonathan Haidt as one of five fundamental moral values shared to a greater or lesser degree by different societies and individuals.
I often fear that we live in a world that gets more and more „disrespectful“ and at the same time we are getting more „disrespectful“ ourselves.
My wish would be that we show more respect towards nature and the creation. As well as towards other people and ourselves. And towards traditions, virtues and values. Towards cultures and dreams. And also towards our bosses and employees.
Disrespect has become part of the modern way of life. Consequently, I would wish to see more respect, instead of ego-centered superficiality. Will “brand eins” voice the opinion that it is about time for us to have a little more respect?
Well, so much about my ideas.
(Saturday, April, 30th, 2011)
Yesterday, on Saturday, I eventually managed to do some reading. After all, the title had motivated me. I am quite eager to find out what “brand eins” will tell me. What will I read on the focal point respect?
So let me say it up front: the core idea is great. It is controversial and critical in a refreshing way. It is enjoyable, it makes sense and it invites contradiction. Fantastic.
Even at first sight, the May issue contains many other highlights. Like the world in numbers and the Commerzbank balance sheet (Modell Schrumpfkopf – page 26). Everything is equally exciting – and surprising. Not to forget what is directly before that – the interview with Ian Bryden on “the renewable energies” (a lot of hot air).
On page 68, they write about the copyright: stolen is stolen. This is also quite remarkable. On page 92, you will read about bad behaviour: Is that too much to ask? And then I treat myself to the interview of the grumpy Hartmut Mehdorn: Despotism will no longer work.
And since I cannot stop, I also read the inflation of appreciation on page 88. All I can do is agree: there are no cooking recipes telling you how you can motivate employees to do what you want them to do.
For her editorial, Frau Fischer chose the headline: energy that will never be empty. It fits with the merry month of May. Well, once in a while, my energy is rather low. But still, this “brand eins” is truly fascinating. It helps me to find new strength and load up my energy storage – as did our bike tour through Sardinia.
RMD
(Translated by EG)
P.S.
Now I discover the last escort on page 124. It is about reverence as a business model. The question comes to mind: how much respect do we have left for death?
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