How I Lead Determines If I Have Followers Or Resisters

Did you ever suffer under the leadership of your boss? Did you ever find it hard to get people to move in your organisation, your club or family?I have had both, good and bad bosses and I learnt lots in these situations. Leading people myself I realised that leadership is not easy.

Leadership is an art. It is the art to lead without your stripes, without using your power. People who use their positional power use fear as their main motivation and exercise power and control over their subordinates. They are pushing people instead of drawing them, they are controlling people instead of giving freedom to develop and authority to initiate improvements. Real leaders develop followers, who want to follow their leader, because they understand the vision and they know that they contribute to something significant.

Can you lead people without using the power of your position or your titles?

 

 

 

Super-effective leaders have been analysed and they all show 10 distinct characteristics. As a leader you need more than education, hard skills and experience. True leaders know how to connect and engage with people. People skills are commonly summarised as EQ (emotional intelligence). EQ is not static, it can be learnt and improved.

Leaders communicate constantly, they take people from their present situation and speak about the future as if it was already present. Because of leader’s integrity and positivity, people feel save and appreciated. As a result are freed up mentally to be creative and enthusiastic. Leaders see the best in their people and in return people are proud to give their best. This atmosphere releases more potential across the whole organisation.

How are you leading or how are you being lead? Can you identify with these 10 characteristics?
Read this article and let us know if you can find these characteristics

10 Habits of Ultra-Likeable Leaders

 

1. They Form Personal Connections

Even in a crowded room, likeable leaders make people feel like they’re having a one-on-one conversation, as if they’re the only person in the room that matters. And, for that moment, they are. Likeable leaders communicate on a very personal, emotional level. They never forget that there’s a flesh-and-blood human being standing in front of them.

2.They’re Approachable

You know those people who only have time for you if you can do something for them? Likeable leaders truly believe that everyone, regardless of rank or ability, is worth their time and attention. They make everyone feel valuable because they believe that everyone is valuable.

3. They’re Humble

Few things kill likeability as quickly as arrogance. Likeable leaders don’t act as though they’re better than you because they don’t think that they’re better than you. Rather than being a source of prestige, they see their leadership position as bringing them additional accountability for serving those who follow them.

4. They’re Positive

Likeable leaders always maintain a positive outlook, and this shows in how they describe things. They don’t have to give a presentation to the board of directors; they get to share their vision and ideas with the board. They don’t have to go on a plant tour; they get to meet and visit with the people who make their company’s products. They don’t even have to diet; they get to experience the benefits of eating healthfully. Even in undeniably negative situations, likeable leaders emanate an enthusiastic hope for the future, a confidence that they can help make tomorrow better than today.

5. They’re Even-Keeled

When it comes to their own accomplishments and failures, likeable leaders take things in stride. They don’t toot their own horns, nor do they get rattled when they blow it. They savor success without letting it go to their heads, and they readily acknowledge failure without getting mired in it. They learn from both and move on.

6. They’re Generous

We’ve all worked for someone who constantly holds something back, whether it’s knowledge or resources. They act as if they’re afraid you’ll outshine them if they give you access to everything you need to do your job. Likeable leaders are unfailingly generous with whom they know, what they know, and the resources they have access to. They want you to do well more than anything else because they understand that this is their job as a leader and because they’re confident enough to never worry that your success might make them look bad. In fact, they believe that your success is their success.

7. They Demonstrate Integrity

Likeable leaders inspire trust and admiration through their actions, not just their words. Many leaders say that integrity is important to them, but likeable leaders walk their talk by demonstrating integrity every day. Even a leader who oozes charm won’t be likeable if that charm isn’t backed by a solid foundation of integrity.

8. They Read People Like A Book

Likeable leaders know how to read people as unspoken communication is often more important than the words people say. They note facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice in order to get what’s really going on with their people. In other words, they have high social awareness, a critical EQ skill.

9. They Appreciate Potential

Robert Brault said, “Charisma is not so much getting people to like you as getting people to like themselves when you’re around.” Likeable leaders not only see the best in their people, but they also make sure that everyone else sees it too. They draw out people’s talents so that everyone is bettering themselves and the work at hand.

10. They Have Substance

Daniel Quinn said, “Charisma only wins people’s attention. Once you have their attention, you have to have something to tell them.” Likeable leaders understand that their knowledge and expertise are critical to the success of everyone who follows them. Therefore, they regularly connect with people to share their substance (as opposed to superficial small talk). Likeable leaders don’t puff themselves up or pretend to be something they’re not, because they don’t have to. They have substance, and they share it with their people.

Take away

There are no born leaders. Leadership skills are learnt just as any other skills. The better you get to be the more respect people give you and the more people like you and like to follow you. Try these leadership skills and be conscious about your attitudes.

Please feel free to share this information with your friends and family. You have the potential to develop an environment of growth around yourself.

 

 

If you want to read more look at Dr. Travis Bradberry’s article.