Centre for Skill Development and Training

Respect Begins With Integrity
Aparna from Quess Corp Limited says,
I’ve always had an innate need to be fair, even in the smallest of situations. When I was younger, this part of me often confused me — I didn’t fully understand why I felt so strongly about fairness. With time, age, and experience, I now know that this is what truly defines me.

To me, respect begins with being true to yourself and to the situation in front of you — including raising your hand when you need help. Not doing so, I’ve realized, can actually diminish the trust others place in you.

For a long time, I believed that being polite was the same as being respectful. That changed as I grew into roles that required difficult truths. I understood that honesty, even when uncomfortable, is the highest form of respect. Much like a doctor who must tell a patient the truth — not because it is easy, but because it is necessary — my role demands clarity, candour, and courage.

As Chairperson – POSH & Grievance Management, I face challenging situations every day. My belief in respect is tested whenever I must choose between convenience and conscience. I firmly believe people deserve to hear the truth, delivered with humanity.

In decision-making, respect means acknowledging the intelligence, intention, and experiences of others. It means not assuming, not stereotyping, and not judging. Inclusion, I’ve learned, only strengthens us as leaders because it brings perspectives we cannot access on our own.

Respect must become culture — something that flows naturally, like muscle memory.

For me, respect has always been rooted in integrity. And true integrity is simple: treating people the way you wish to be treated yourself.