Are you a likeable leader?

The culture of leadership has changed significantly in recent years. While there are some leaders that still hold to traditional autocratic styles, and swear by them. Most prefer an alternate approach, engaging with their teams in a way that empowers and motivates.

In general, studies show that the majority of employees respond better to a more interactive style of leadership. They’re more productive when they feel valued and empowered. They want to enjoy their work and feel purposeful in it.

This is because while we all recognise the need to earn a living, we’re also becoming more aware that it can’t be at all costs. Enjoying work is not just about projects, it has a great deal to do with the company culture. And company culture is defined by the leadership.  Being likeable as a leader is a part of building a positive company culture.

Does that mean that as a leader you need to become everyone’s best friend? Or is there another way to be likeable, yet respected as a strong leader?

Being likeable is more a reflection of who you are as a person, how you interact with others and how you treat people on all levels. Communicating in a respectful way, listening empathetically and providing constructive feedback, these are all soft skills that employees notice. They all contribute to being more likeable.

However, being likeable isn’t just about keeping employees happy. It’s about creating a positive working environment, which means there’s place for firm boundaries, and these are essential for a productive working environment.

Communicating expectations on deliverables should not detract from likeability, rather it should reinforce it. After all, you’re all there to work, not have a social. We share three ways that you can be a likeable AND productive leader:

1 – Focus on outcomes:

Gear team efforts towards what needs to be achieved and by when. Ensure that team members are equipped to be able to achieve these outcomes.

2 – Foster collaboration:

Create an environment where team members are confident in sharing ideas and feedback. When a leader is open to listening to different ways on how the outcomes can be achieved, it builds better team cohesion.

3 – Be consistent:

There’s nothing more frustrating than goal posts constantly changing. Similarly, leaders need to be consistent in how they work, make decisions and interact with others. Consistency is key to being both a likeable and dependable leader.