| In the workplace every day, we meet a whole | | | | bare minimum required, and will generate high |
| range of different people. It is inevitable, | | | | productivity for a relatively low turnover. So it is |
| therefore, that some of these people we will like, | | | | imperative that a good leader must be respected |
| and some we will not get along with so easily. Of | | | | and able to get results, as well as also being able |
| course, some of these people are going to be | | | | to find out what motivates each member of their |
| leaders - is it imperative that a good leader must | | | | team personally - and this care for people is |
| be one of likeable character, or is it possible for a | | | | something that cannot be faked, or brought to |
| leader to be equally effective without the luxury | | | | the working environment by someone who could |
| of being liked by those they lead? | | | | be defined as unlikeable or unliked. Having said |
| Good leaders must be many things in varying | | | | that, part of being a good leader is also going to |
| quantities - for example: | | | | be making difficult decisions which may not be |
| * Trustworthy | | | | popular (obviously with the best interest of both |
| * Enthusiastic | | | | the business and the team at heart), and it is |
| * Confident | | | | important that a good leader does not value being |
| * Purposeful | | | | liked above making a sound business decision. |
| * Tolerant and calm | | | | What role does Leadership Development play in all |
| * Analytical | | | | of this? Is it possible to learn all the qualities of a |
| * Committed to excellence | | | | good leader, and thus for a person to transform |
| * Respected | | | | themselves from having less likable qualities to |
| They must also be able to motivate and trust | | | | being really liked? Leadership skills can of course |
| their workforce, communicate their ideas well, | | | | be learned, but leadership also comes from within |
| work effectively and practically, encourage and | | | | - leadership can bring about a transformation |
| inspire their staff, and above all, lead by example. | | | | within those being led, but the leader must have |
| They must have drive, passion and enthusiasm, | | | | both the right tools and the right attitude and |
| not only for what they do, but for the people | | | | disposition to see that transformation begin to |
| who they are responsible for. | | | | happen, and therefore reap the benefits of |
| BUT is it necessary that they are liked, or even | | | | followship. A good follower will be able to develop |
| likable? Or is it purely an added bonus if this is the | | | | their skills such as taking responsibility, |
| case? | | | | demonstrating initiative, working collaboratively and |
| There is an old military saying that if you take | | | | managing themselves effectively. Good leadership |
| care of your troops, they will take care of you. | | | | is more important than ever in times of |
| Another vital element to a good leader, therefore, | | | | uncertainty and organisations who continue to |
| is taking care of those they lead. Employees who | | | | invest in their people and develop their leaders will |
| feel good about their workplace and the way | | | | optimise business growth. |
| they are led will contribute far more above the | | | | |