How to be an empathic leader without being a pushover

Be likeable as a leader
Most people want to be liked. To please is a natural instinct we all have. Research shows that a sense of belonging and love is third most important, just beyond basic needs and safety. A team liking their leader lends to higher levels of productivity and commitment. It’s a win-win for you, your team and your business. How can you accomplish this?

• Honesty is key: If you want honesty, be ready to offer it first. Even when it’s not comfortable to do so, being honest is always the right choice. Show the opposite and don’t be surprised if you will have to deal with dishonest team members. You get what you give.
• Listen before speaking: Listening is a skill to be practiced often. Stop whatever you are doing and focus with the intention of truly listening to your employees. Take notes because they may have the next creative idea in mind. Show openness and be receptive. If they’re taking the time to give you ideas, chances are they care as much as you do about the business and its goals.
• Get in the trenches: Be willing to join your team to do whatever needs to get done. Barking orders won’t get you anywhere. Your team should see that you are capable of doing their job if they can’t. Be the pinch hitter that is needed just in case. But know when to pull back, when things are going well and allow for normal activity to resume.
• Delegate and trust: Doing everything yourself is good, but counterproductive. Teach your team and show them how to handle responsibilities you wish to pass on to them. Get busy discovering new ways to generate revenue. Grow your business because that’s where you are supposed to be, and where your skills are being used for their highest good.
• Fairness gets you everything: Never play favorites. Know your employees well enough to know what motivates them and also what discourages them. Know how to handle both ends of the spectrum.

No pushovers in this corner
Being liked doesn’t mean being your team’s doormat. Catering to their needs, solving their problems, and letting them do whatever they want is not beneficial for you or them. How can you avoid being a pushover?

• Don’t carry the lion’sshare of work: Sharing is caring, but there’s a limit. Don’t be taken advantage of. You should not finish what they started. A deadline is deadline, is a deadline no matter what.
• Mistakes are not yours to correct: If you spot mistakes, have the employee correct them. Don’t do it yourself, your team member’s learning curve is tampered with if you do that. Show them and tell them, but they need to do the dirty work. Otherwise the lesson is not conveyed or learned and mistakes will continue.
• Rules are rules: They are set in place to be followed and respected for a reason. There is no option.
• Make time for feedback: People learn and grow from feedback. If you are unhappy with an employee’s performance, you need to setup a meeting and review the issues with the employee. If you say nothing, then most likely nothing will change. Either the employee doesn’t know, or the employee doesn’t care. A meeting will address both issues.
• The White Elephant in the room: Conflict:  If there is a situation that needs attention, it’s best if you deal with it swiftly. Don’t let it fester, which allows additional employees the opportunity to get involved.

Your ultimate goal isn’t to be liked. Your goal is to be respected as a leader and a visionary of your business. Earn your team’s respect, and the rest will follow. Count on it!

Angela Civitella is founder of Intinde and a certified business leadership coach. www.intinde.com