10 habits of super likeable leaders

10 habits of super likeable leaders10 habits of super likeable leadersIf you want to be a leader whom people follow with absolute conviction, you have to be a likeable leader. Tyrants and curmudgeons with brilliant vorstellung can command a reluctant following for a time, but it never lasts. They burn people out before they ever get to see what anyone is truly capable of.When I speak to smaller audiences, I often ask them to describe the best and worst leaders they have ever worked for. People inevitably ignore innate characteristics (intelligence, extraversion, attractiveness, and so on) and instead focus on qualities that are completely under the leaders control, such as approachability, humility, and positivity.These words, and others like them, describe leaders who are skilled in emotional intelligence. TalentSmart research data from more than a million people shows that leaders who possess behauptung qualities arent just highly likeable, they outperform those who dont possess th em by a large margin.Becoming a more likeable leader is completely under your control, and its a matter of emotional intelligence (EQ). Unlike innate, fixed characteristics, such as your intelligence (IQ), EQ is a flexible skill that you can improve with effort.What follows are 10 key behaviors that emotionally intelligent leaders engage in that make them so likeable.1. They form personal connectionsEven in a crowded room, likeable leaders make people feel like theyre having a one-on-one conversation, as if theyre the only person in the room that matters. And, for that moment, they are. Likable leaders communicate on a very personal, emotional level.They never forget that theres a flesh-and-blood human being standing in front of them.2.Theyre approachableYou 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 becau se theybelievethat everyoneisvaluable.3. Theyre humbleFew things kill likability as quickly as arrogance. Likeable leaders dont act as though theyre better than you because they dontthinkthat theyre 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. Theyre positiveLikeable leaders always maintain a positive outlook, and this shows in how they describe things. They donthaveto give a presentation to the board of directors theygetto share their vision and ideas with the board. They donthaveto go on a plant tour theygetto meet and visit with the people who make their companys products. They dont evenhaveto diet theygetto 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. Theyre even-keeledWhen it comes to th eir own accomplishments and failures, likeable leaders take things in stride. They dont 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. Theyre generousWeve all worked for someone who constantly holds something back, whether its knowledge or resources. They act as if theyre afraid youll 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 theyre confident enough to never worry that your success might make them look bad.In fact, they believe that your successistheir success.7. They demonstrate integrityLikeable leaders inspire trust and admiration through t heiractions,elend just their words. Many leaderssaythat integrity is important to them, but likeable leaders walk their talk by demonstrating integrity every day.Even a leader who oozes charm wont be likable if that charm isnt backed by a solid foundation of integrity.8. They read people like abookLikeable leaders know how to read people as unspoken communication is often more important than the words people say. They elende facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice in order togetwhats really going on with their people.In other words, they have high social awareness, a critical EQ skill.9. They appreciate potentialRobert Brault said, Charisma is not so much getting people to like you as getting people to like themselves when youre 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 peoples talents so that everyone is bettering themselves and the work at hand.10. They have substanceDaniel Qui nn said, Charisma only wins peoples 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 dont puff themselves up or pretend to be something theyre not, because they dont have to. They have substance, and they share it with their people.Bringing it all togetherLikability isnt a birthright it results from acquirable skills that are crucial to your professional success. And just like any other professional skills, you can study the people who have them, copy what works, and adapt them to your own style. Try these 10strategies and watch your likability soar.Travis Bradberry is the co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the co-founder of TalentSmart.This article originally appeared on LinkedIn.10 habits of sup er likeable leadersIf you want to be a leader whom people follow with absolute conviction, you have to be a likeable leader. Tyrants and curmudgeons with brilliant vision can command a reluctant following for a time, but it never lasts. They burn people out before they ever get to see what anyone is truly capable of.When I speak to smaller audiences, I often ask them to describe the best and worst leaders they have ever worked for. People inevitably ignore innate characteristics (intelligence, extraversion, attractiveness, and so on) and instead focus on qualities that are completely under the leaders control, such as approachability, humility, and positivity.These words, and others like them, describe leaders who are skilled in emotional intelligence. TalentSmart research data from more than a million people shows that leaders who possess these qualities arent just highly likeable, they outperform those who dont possess them by a large margin.Becoming a more likeable leader is comp letely under your control, and its a matter of emotional intelligence (EQ). Unlike innate, fixed characteristics, such as your intelligence (IQ), EQ is a flexible skill that you can improve with effort.What follows are 10 key behaviors that emotionally intelligent leaders engage in that make them so likeable.1. They form personal connectionsEven in a crowded room, likeable leaders make people feel like theyre having a one-on-one conversation, as if theyre the only person in the room that matters. And, for that moment, they are. Likable leaders communicate on a very personal, emotional level.They never forget that theres a flesh-and-blood human being standing in front of them.2.Theyre approachableYou 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 theybelievethat everyoneisvaluable.3. Theyre humbleFew th ings kill likability as quickly as arrogance. Likeable leaders dont act as though theyre better than you because they dontthinkthat theyre 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. Theyre positiveLikeable leaders always maintain a positive outlook, and this shows in how they describe things. They donthaveto give a presentation to the board of directors theygetto share their vision and ideas with the board. They donthaveto go on a plant tour theygetto meet and visit with the people who make their companys products. They dont evenhaveto diet theygetto 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. Theyre even-keeledWhen it comes to their own accomplishments and failures, likeable leaders take things in stride. They dont 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. Theyre generousWeve all worked for someone who constantly holds something back, whether its knowledge or resources. They act as if theyre afraid youll 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 theyre confident enough to never worry that your success might make them look bad.In fact, they believe that your successistheir success.7. They demonstrate integrityLikeable leaders inspire trust and admiration through theiractions,not just their words. Many leaderssaythat integr ity is important to them, but likeable leaders walk their talk by demonstrating integrity every day.Even a leader who oozes charm wont be likable if that charm isnt backed by a solid foundation of integrity.8. They read people like abookLikeable 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 togetwhats really going on with their people.In other words, they have high social awareness, a critical EQ skill.9. They appreciate potentialRobert Brault said, Charisma is not so much getting people to like you as getting people to like themselves when youre 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 peoples talents so that everyone is bettering themselves and the work at hand.10. They have substanceDaniel Quinn said, Charisma only wins peoples attention. Once you have the ir 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 dont puff themselves up or pretend to be something theyre not, because they dont have to. They have substance, and they share it with their people.Bringing it all togetherLikability isnt a birthright it results from acquirable skills that are crucial to your professional success. And just like any other professional skills, you can study the people who have them, copy what works, and adapt them to your own style. Try these 10strategies and watch your likability soar.Travis Bradberry is the co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the co-founder of TalentSmart.This article originally appeared on LinkedIn.