What It Means to Honor Your Leader — And Why It Matters for Success
In discussions about leadership, we often focus on what leaders owe their teams, such as vision, direction, trust, feedback, and support. Leaders’ roles and contributions are indeed critical to the success of organizations; however, team members also play a role in fostering an environment that supports effective leadership. One impactful and often underutilized way to create such an environment is to honor leaders.
Honoring your leader involves treating them with value and dignity because of the role they hold and the responsibilities they carry, which is different from respecting your leader. Leadership author Craig Groeschel highlights the distinction between honor and respect by emphasizing:
“Respect is earned. Honor is given.”
Honor vs. Respect: What’s the Difference?
Respect is performance-based. It develops over time and is influenced by behavior, results, and consistency.
Honor is a choice. It acknowledges the position and weight of responsibility, regardless of performance. Honoring your leader looks like:
Supporting their vision, even if you would approach things differently.
Providing honest feedback privately and respectfully.
Avoiding gossip or criticism when they are not around.
Following through on your commitments.
Recognizing the weight of leadership, even when it is unseen.
This approach does not imply blind agreement but is, instead, mature, values-driven engagement with your leader.
A Story: When Honor Changed the Room
A few years ago, we worked with a leadership team in a fast-growing company. The CEO, whom we’ll call Maya, was intelligent, driven, and deeply committed to the mission of the organization. However, she felt the pressure of rapid growth, and tensions were rising within her leadership team, particularly regarding communication and decision-making.
During one offsite meeting, a senior leader named Daniel took Maya aside—not to complain but to express support. He said:
“I know this pace is intense. You’re carrying a lot right now. I want you to know I’m here to help—and I’m in this with you.”
This seemingly small gesture had a significant impact. Maya later shared that it was the first time in months she felt recognized, not just as a CEO but as a human being. That moment paved the way for more honest conversations, more precise feedback, and stronger trust among the team. Honor did not replace accountability; it created a safe environment for it.
5 Ways to Practice Honoring Your Leader
To strengthen your posture of honor, consider these strategies:
Assume Positive Intent - Before forming judgments, ask yourself: “What might they be dealing with that I can’t see?”
Disagree in Private, Support in Public - Raise concerns respectfully and avoid undermining their leadership outside appropriate channels.
Be a Reliable Voice in the Room - Show up with truth and commitment. Leaders value individuals who contribute with maturity.
Speak Well When They’re Not Present - Your tone during side conversations either builds a positive culture or undermines it.
Look for Ways to Lift Their Load - Ask yourself, “What can I take off their plate today?” Even small acts can make a big difference.
Why Honor Creates Stronger Cultures
When leaders feel genuinely honored, not flattered but trusted and supported, they lead with greater confidence and become more open to input. This culture begins to multiply. Honor fosters:
Trust
Shared ownership
Healthy feedback loops
High-performing, low-drama teams
A Note to Leaders: It Starts With You
If you want your team to embody honor, you must model it first. Demonstrate the same respect, trust, and investment that you hope to receive. Culture rises to the level of the leadership it is shown.
Let’s Build a Leadership Culture That Lasts
At Inspired Training Institute, we help leaders and teams grow through trust, feedback, and people-centered leadership. If you're interested in exploring what that could look like in your organization, please reach out to start the conversation.
