10 Habits of Likable Leaders

#9. They use Einstein’s garbage man approach to others

Credit: NDAB Creativity on Shutterstock

Likability isn’t required in leadership, but it sure does help.

I’ve been studying and practicing leadership for 25 years. I was thrust into it as a young Marine recruit who found himself in charge of 75 other recruits. It was a trial-by-fire introduction but I soon learned to relish it.

Since then, I’ve run a business, led in corporate and government settings, and served as a volunteer baseball coach and Cubmaster for my son’s Pack.

I’ve seen leaders people didn’t like who got the job done. But the ones people did like got a lot more done in a more efficient way and everyone was a lot happier doing it.

In other words, likability is the icing on your leadership cake.

Here are a few ways I, science, and Einstein have found to be a likable boss.

1. They Like Others First

It’s really hard to like someone who doesn’t like you. Likable leaders like people first.

A scientific principle called the reciprocity of attraction proves exactly this point — people like people who like them.

It’s hard to like everyone as a leader. Some people are just abrasive. Some are just…