My Gen X Playlist: A Little Respect – Erasure

I developed my leadership style from leaders that I’ve worked with in the past. I’ve worked for both the good and the bad and there are lessons to be learned from each. I’ve gleaned a lot from uplifting and inspirational leaders, but have also been thrown under the bus by others and learned some tough lessons. I think there is as much to learn from ineffective leaders because they create a blue print of what not to do.

I’m a keen observer of people. I try to replicate what other effective leaders have successfully accomplished; however, there are times something doesn’t fit my style or who I am and I’ve had to abandon the idea. People can tell when people are not being their authentic selves and the last thing you want is to lose their trust. Once trust is lost, it’s a difficult uphill road to gain it back.

I’m tough but fair. I set myself to the same, if not higher, standards. I try to lead by example, not asking someone to do something that I would not ask myself to do. Everyone together contributes to success. All accolades go to others while I absorb the heat when things go awry. I’ve learned to gain trust by being the safety net when needed. Nothing ever goes exactly as planned and I try to find teachable moments for others as well as myself. Am I perfect? Far from it, but I do my best and try not to lose sight that we are all people, allowing for grace. At the end of the day, everyone deserves appreciation and respect.

Respect. . .

I can’t imagine the 80’s without Erasure. In 1988, Erasure released the pop hit, A Little Respect. The synthesizer sound grabs you from the very first note.

“Opening with that distinct, stately keyboard riff before an acoustic guitar comes in and adds to the rhythm, “A Little Respect” is Erasure at their apex. Very few pop songs can be considered perfect, and this is one of them. It is guaranteed even to this day to get a room full of people singing at the top of their lungs. It just feels good. The heavily rhythmic background, the positive and self-affirming lyrics, Andy Bell’s note-perfect vocal delivery… it’s a combination that came together to form a song for the ages.

– Wikipedia

A Little Respect sings about love and acceptance, something society still grapples with today. Not that I want to throw in a Rodney King reference, but there are so many problems in this world that could be resolved if we just all got along. It seems everyone is tossing out sound bites and worse yet, people are blindly chasing them down rabbit holes. The lack of leadership is creating a huge void, left wide open, waiting to be filled. As I look around, I’m beginning to be concerned about who’s holding the shovels. What ever happened to common courtesy and respect? Someone needs to rally the troops and send out a search party because both went missing long ago and are sorely missed. But I’m not giving up hope and will keep the front porch light on as we patiently await their return. I’m still a believer and it’s only a matter of time before we hear that welcomed knock on the door. Until then, gotta keep the faith.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

I try to discover
A little something to make me sweeter
Oh baby refrain from breaking my heart
I'm so in love with you
I'll be forever blue
That you give me no reason
Why you're making me work so hard

That you give me no
That you give me no
That you give me no
That you give me no

Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby please give a little respect to me

And if I should falter
Would you open your arms out to me
We can make love not war
And live at peace with our hearts
I'm so in love with you
I'll be forever blue
What religion or reason
Could drive a man to forsake his lover

Don't you tell me no
Don't you tell me no
Don't you tell me no
Don't you tell me no

Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby please give a little respect to me

I'm so in love with you
I'll be forever blue
That you give me no reason
You know you're making me work so hard

That you give me no
That you give me no
That you give me no
That you give me no

Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby please give a little respect to me

Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby please give a little respect to me