Leadership And Likeability During Change

Most leaders are aware of the age old tension between likeability and leadership, through many career paths leaders of all backgrounds, industries and seniorities many have potentially struggled with it at some point! While one may never resolve the tension, understanding it and being conscious of it will help with optimal navigation and awareness, especially during periods of transformation and change! Strong change-leaders don't just ensure adoption of strategy and processes, they inspire belief and confidence in their employees that they all can and should embrace something new and they are clear on the journey ahead.

So firstly drawing on mindset...a phrase we hear a lot in the corporate world is “good leader” or is that “leader good enough” but to breakdown the word its GOOD often draws on comparison and can be an ambiguous adjective (English dictionary ‘ to be desired or approved of') (Irregular comparative and superlative (better,?best) reflect a widespread pattern in words for "good," as in Latin?bonus,?melior,?optimus.) Think about it like this different engagement styles in a meeting, people needing different time to think.?Internal and external processors are quiet for different reasons.?External processors may not want to blurt, and internal processors may need time to formulate thoughts one input may seem more present and another may seem precise yet reserved. Both may have highly valued points and one may have more presence or airtime than another BUT they are equally valuable in input and both bought GOOD diverse points to the meeting with different styles….

So lets correlate the above to leadership, how about we think of leaders as such...elevating unique qualities and stepping away from generalisation, conforming to just standard conceptions or outright comparison.. i.e “that leader was courageous, bold in their thinking, determined in this actions to develop and drive the team forward..". Then there is not direct comparison from one leader to another as each will have strengths in their own right and weaknesses independently too, thus making for a unique likeability factor outside of any comparison. Some leaders will have higher empathy, others higher skill knowledge and some the combination of both. But every leader no matter how seasoned will have growth, challenge and knowledge against managing their leadership and likeability during change!

When it comes to leadership and likeability during transformation and change these are just a few key factors I’ve pulled out:

Don’t focus on just being ‘liked’

Leadership is inherently difficult because it requires a leader to take people where they sometimes don’t naturally want to go be it for the good of the business the customer or evolution. So you have a choice as a leader. You can focus on leading people, or focus on being liked. When you focus on being liked, you will instinctively try to please the people you’re leading constantly and when you do, you could become conflicted. You have to be able to make hard decisions, manage conflict fairly and handle difficult situations sensitivity yet effectively.?At the same time you have to ensure genuine empathy and understanding for your team and navigate in the best and moral way.?Keep in mind some these points:

1. Prioritize influence, don't control
2. Create meaningful connections
3. Keep your integrity, set values
4. Remember the bigger picture?
5. Do not make yourself smaller

You may have to deal with a time of being misunderstood

Effective leaders are prepared to be misunderstood. There will be seasons in leadership in which you will be misunderstood. Your motives, strategy and skill will be questioned. This would have happened to most leaders within their career.?Some leaders may think everyone is wrong and they are right and not listen to opinion or input. Others may crumble and quit under the pressure or more turbulent period.?

I guess it is a question of the leader looking into themselves or turning to trusted mentors / peers?and ensure that that they are doing what is in best interest for the business and they are driving things forward in the correct way?

Sometimes you lead people through seasons they don’t want to go through, but in the end, it’s good for them the customer and the evolution of the business but during that transition period it can be hard!?I always remember a prior leader of mine showing me this and it stuck with me throughout my career:?

The Change Curve is a tool which can be used to know what is emotional stage of employees and where they are on their transitional journey with regard to change happening in their work environment. This helps the management to manage the situation through effective communication and other methods to support and guide their human resource on the journey of change.?The Change Curve starts with shock and denial and it dips down at anger stage and touches the lowest energy when curve reaches at the stage of depression. As the time passes by, the curve begins to go upward and regain energy level till the highest point which is the stage of acceptance...its a journey a process.

You can lead and still be likeable

Even leading during change, transformation or more difficult times to a place a team would not naturally go keeping humility, kindness, empathy and understanding throughout goes a long way. A leader who comes across as more approachable than someone who lets ego come in the way. This benefits the team and the organization positively, allowing the easy flow of ideas between the team members and within the organization — a critical factor for the growth of a business. Your team knowing you care about them even if there might not be an immediate pay-back. However in long term knowing this could open opportunity, knowledge, satisfaction; its a journey and you are getting them there.?There will be entire seasons of your leadership in which you will offer all of the above and more and people will not reciprocate, you need to be okay with it and okay with you.?As in the end if the change is a beneficial and ethical one and you have led well and morally throughout, people will ultimately see it was a good move, trust you more and see the fruit of opportunity!?