Why Should You Be A Likable Leader?                                                                                                                            

It’s not really what people say to your face that counts—it’s what they say behind your back. And whatever people say about you over and over soon becomes your reputation. In a world of corporate competition, a little likability can go a long way in helping a small business stand out. We’ve narrowed down the 5 key habits of likable leaders. Why habits? Not everyone is inherently born with these traits but any business owner can practice them until they become second nature.

Habit #1: A Likable Leader’s Glass Is Always Half Full

There’s no such word as failure to the person with a full glass. For instance, if someone left or was let go from a company, the likable leader is less focused on the fact that he or she lost an employee and more focused on making room for a team member who’s better suited for the company. This requires more skill than employing a positive attitude; these leaders see the good side of any challenge and an opportunity in every setback. The glass-half full attitude is infectious, and inspires others on the team to take on the same mindset.

Habit #2: They Follow Through

Likable leaders do what they say they’re going to do. When a leader doesn’t deliver on big promises, this is a sure-fire way to erode team confidence. People who walk their walk are more likely to be trusted than someone who sets expectations for themselves but never follows through. Once the team loses trust in their leader, it’s next to impossible to win that trust back.

Habit #3: They Share Success

Do you see many leaders who give the credit to their success to their team? Not often…but when you see it, it’s memorable, isn’t it? When employees feel valued they try harder and go the extra mile for their company. When they know they probably won’t be acknowledged, they’ll go someplace where they’ll be appreciated. Not sharing success with your team puts you at risk to lose top-tier talent.

Habit #4: They Know Their Audience

Likable leaders know that there’s a difference in the way they should talk to shareholders vs. clients vs. potential customers. They definitely know how to shift gears when they speak to their team. Like a good parent, an effective leader knows which member of their team needs a little extra encouragement, who’s the lone wolf, and who needs to be praised on a regular basis.

Habit #5: They Take A Sincere Interest In Everyone On Their Team

They know who’s been with the company the longest and who the newbie is. They even remember birthdays, who got married, and who’s in the middle of crisis and needs support. This last habit requires an incredible amount of concentration and skill because a likable leader may care about the bottom line, but they care about their family of employees even more.

Likability inspires admiration – and in a perfect world, inspiration. If you’re admired by others, they’ll stick around to learn from you. If you inspire others, they’ll be committed to the vision of your company for the long run.