In today’s business world, one principle seems to be fading fast: respect.

We live in an era where commitments are fluid, payments are delayed without apology, and basic professional courtesy is treated as optional. It begs the question:

Are we entering the “Trump Era” of business? Where saying anything is allowed, doing nothing is excused, and responsibility is always someone else’s problem?

It may sound provocative—but ask anyone who’s been in business for a while, and they’ll tell you: something has changed. And not for the better.

1. Paying Late Is Now the Norm

What used to be the exception has become standard practice. “We’re waiting for internal approvals.” “Our cash flow is tight this month.” “Let me check with finance.”

Meanwhile, the work is already done. The value is delivered. And service providers—often small firms or independent consultants—are left carrying the financial burden.

Let’s be clear: delayed payments are not just a financial issue. They are a sign of disrespect for the time, energy, and trust that went into the work.

2. Commitment to Delivery Is Treated Casually

In healthy partnerships, deadlines matter. Words mean something. But more and more, we see a relaxed culture of “we’ll see,” “I forgot,” or “let’s push this out.”

Deliverables are missed without acknowledgment. Promises are not followed through. What was once unacceptable is now shrugged off.

But when reliability disappears, trust collapses. And without trust, there is no real partnership—just friction, frustration, and wasted energy.

3. Important Calls Canceled Without Notice

We’ve all had meetings rescheduled. Emergencies happen. That’s life. But canceling high-stakes calls—strategy discussions, decision-making sessions, prospect meetings—minutes before they start, with no explanation or follow-up? That’s not flexibility. That’s disregard.

Every meeting reflects time carved out, preparation done, teams aligned. Disregarding that is a clear message: “My time matters more than yours.”

Where Do We Go From Here?

We don’t lower our standards to match the noise. We raise the bar and surround ourselves with people who still believe in basic professional values:

  • Show up.
  • Pay on time.
  • Deliver what you said you would.
  • Respect the relationship.

At Gershon Consulting, we often say: we don’t over-promise—we over-deliver. But that only works in ecosystems where mutual respect is the foundation.

Business is not just strategy. It’s character.

We don’t need to work with everyone. Just with the ones who still stand by their word.