Do your adversaries respect you?

I just finished reading the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, a wonderful, albeit lengthy, account of Grant’s military endeavors. In several scenes I was struck by the respect both sides showed for the other’s generals and in particular Grant.

Prior to one of the battles, the picket lines for both sides were so close that the soldiers drew water from the same small creek the separated them. Grant rode out without his party one day to inspect the scene first-hand. As he approached the lines, the union picket guard called for the troops to salute, but Grant quipped, “Never mind the general”. As Grant rode on he neared the confederate line. Seeing Grant approaching, the confederate picket guard called for the troops to salute the general of their enemy as they would their own. Grant returned their salute.

The men seemed to acknowledge that although Grant was waged in an epic battle with them, his character and leadership demanded respect. He was a man of little pretense who appreciated first-hand contact with his troops and sought to preserve life even in the midst of war.

“While a battle is raging one can see his enemy mowed down by the thousand, or the ten thousand, with great composure; but after the battle these scenes are distressing, and one is naturally disposed to do as much to alleviate the suffering of an enemy as a friend.” – Ulysses S. Grant

As you wage far less consequential battles in your business or organizations, would your adversaries stand to salute you out of respect for your character and leadership? Do you have the respect of your vendors? Your lowest paid staff? Your volunteers? Your competition?