Likable Leadership

Becoming a likable leader

In an ideal world, we’d get stuff done, have great connections, and we'd collaborate seamlessly.

While it’s human nature to crave approval from your team, focusing too much on it can cause two big issues:

1. Poor decision making
2. Avoiding tough conversations

A healthier balance is to be likeable - not liked, by showing your team they are listened to, treated fairly, and valued.

Let’s put it into practice.

👂 Listen with intention

In your next 1:1 or team meeting, deliberately take a back seat. Listen closely to the words and tone your team members are using.

You can ask a trusted team member to hold you accountable for listening by sending you a private message if you're talking too much.

If you have thoughts, put down a keyword to remember it in a notebook instead of shouting it out.

🤲 Be radically honest

Take a minute and ask yourself: Is there something I’m worried about telling my team that will benefit them in the long run?

If something comes to mind, push yourself to share it.

It might be hard for them to take in the moment, but they’ll appreciate knowing where they stand and can rely on to be transparent in the future.

Reassure them that you’re here to support them in improving.

🤗 Appreciate effort and impact

Too often, leaders focus on telling people what they’re doing wrong. But it’s often more effective to highlight what they’re doing right. A little appreciation can do wonders to motivate your team.

Don’t wait for big wins to show appreciation. Even a quick, “Hey, I really appreciated your quick turnaround time on that report” is a great way to show you notice hard work.

Lead well to be well-loved

You don’t have to drop all your nice qualities and become a tyrant to be an effective leader! But you also shouldn’t focus only on whether or not your team likes you.

The bottom line is that you should focus on being a good leader first and foremost. Taking action with these three tactics is a great way to lead well and be likable in the process.