Otis Redding wrote and recorded Respect in 1965, but it was R&B great Aretha Franklin who made the r-e-s-p-e-c-t refrain one of the most sung, most danced to, and most beloved of all popular tunes when she recorded Redding's song in 1967.
Now Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition, has put a new spin on the R word with her latest book, The Power of Respect: Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success (Thomas Nelson, $19.99). Released in October, the book appeals to virtually everyone, defying the adage that "you can't be all things to all people." Indeed, Norville makes a convincing case for respect as the elixir for mending an individual's weak self-esteem, frayed personal relationships, and dysfunctional families. She further shows how respect can be the healing agent that improves performance, creativity, and attitude in both schools and at the work place.
We have to believe she knows what she's talking about. We interviewed her two years ago, when her home was featured in our November 2007 issue (she decorated her family's rambling Dutch Colonial in upstate New York herself), and found that she practices what she preaches.
Fast-forward two years to this past November, when she graciously-and amazingly (talk about inspiration!)-moderated Traditional Home's 2009 Classic Woman Awards banquet in New York City and showed us more of the same-a successful woman and role model who refuses to lose sight of the basic kindnesses and compassionate considerations that make life worth living and relationships worth sustaining.
Others agree. Her last book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You, was a New York Times best-seller. If anyone can sell r-e-s-p-e-c-t, it's Norville.
By Candace Ord Manroe
Visit Deborah Norville's Web site: http://www.dnorville.com/
To see Deborah’s own house, click here.
