[September 28, 2015] There are some leaders to which we’re drawn and others that are just simply our bosses. What is it that attracts us to certain leaders while not to others is no mystery, for it has been written about since the beginning of recorded history. Yet it remains elusive to all but a few. Those things people like in leaders are simple to write about yet difficult for a leader to execute.
Some of those characteristics in a leader that we like are as follows:
- The leader genuinely cares about the people who follow, takes the time to know them, and remembers the small things about them. Good leaders like this are able to connect with people, deeply and openly respect them, and show that they have heart.
- The leader is a builder of teams and dreams. All humans want to be a part of something important, something that fosters lasting friendships and linkages to others. The most likeable leaders help build communities of people that can experience a common sense of good.
- The leader has a willingness to get their hands dirty. Such a leader is able to get out of the boss mode and into the worker approach to get things done. This shows a leader who is authentic and real but also one who is fully engaged to win people over.
- The leader is strict but fair. People need to know that the leader has high standards and while not a perfectionist, is willing to enforce standards. That leader also goes out of their way to coach, mentor, and teach. This means telling the truth and having the moral courage to do what’s right every time.
- The leader is a winner. Everyone likes the horse that comes in first. Of course, there is the expectation that all is fair and the leader has played by the rules of the game; cheating is frowned upon. Yet winning also means being modest and freely giving credit to those follow that leader.
“Leaders draw out ones individual greatness.” – John Paul Warren
Each of these characteristics takes effort, time, and patience. Many leaders consciously avoid doing these things precisely because of the significant time and difficult-to-master social skills it takes to do it right. We find many leaders sitting behind their desks and not committing to mixing it up a little. Rightly, we judge these leaders as stiff and unappreciative of what we do.
It is true that these leaders are popular but not so out of placating or patronizing people. Such leaders are not authentic and they really don’t care. Those leaders go through the motions and emulate real leaders. When leaders are popular for who they are rather than for what they do, the effect is transitory.
What people like in leaders is a genuine leader who is open and concerned about us. That is why it is easy to spot a leader like this, to tell them from those who simply wear the label as leader.
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