Schrödinger’s Cat is a teaching tool which, in its most simplistic terms, states more than one thing can be true at the same time.
As a young leader coming up, I kept hearing it was better for a leader to be respected than liked. After being in various levels of leadership for over 35 years, I have come to the point where I completely disagree with that statement. Schrödinger’s Cat is at play. It’s not an either/or, it is both.
The people you lead will not respect you unless they like you. Relationships are the foundation respect is built on. Here is the connection:
- Respect without Relationship = Responsibility. The team says, “Just let me do my job. I’m a professional. I’ll give you what you want.” Just make sure you are paying everyone well if this is your culture.
- Relationship without Respect = Recess. The team is having a great time but there is no accomplishment.
- Respect with Relationship = Remarkable Results. Great leaders understand that the best teams have people who not only CAN help you (responsibility), but also WANT to help you (relationship).
Many leaders who are reading this article will disagree with me. I get it, it is counter-intuitive to much of what they have previously heard.
They believe that if you create an exceptional organization driven only by respect, people will construct a monument in your honor tomorrow, using the very stones they had intended to hurl at you today.
But let me give you a different perspective from those who have served under leaders they did not respect.
No matter what you accomplish as a leader, your team is thinking, “Can you imagine what we could have done if we just had a better leader? We could have done even more than we’re already doing.” Trust me, I have had those thoughts. Being completely honest, some people have probably had the same thoughts about me.
I have never respected a leader I did not like.
Your Organization’s Greatest Asset
Leaders, your organization’s greatest asset is not your brand, inventory, cash reserves, market share, patents, or reputation. People are your greatest asset. They are the only thing which appreciates over time. Enjoy them. Serve them. Invest in them. And when you do, your organization will achieve things you are currently only dreaming of.
On a side note, I think the root problem many leaders have is that they don’t even like themselves, which is why they don’t like others.
Leaders, I have two final questions for you. Do you like yourself? Think long and hard before you answer.
And then ask, do you truly like your people or view them as only a means to an end?
Next Step
If you want to develop the skills to become the type of leader who is both liked and respected, you can purchase a copy of my latest book Mighty: 7 Skills You Need to Move from Pandemic to Progress. The book’s content will make you a better leader.
My latest eBook is available for download. The Top 65 Leadership Quotes Of 2022 Part 1 is a resource every leader should have. Great quotes bring clarity and put into words who we intuitively feel as leaders. They give us wisdom and insights which advance the mission and vision of our organizations. This eBook includes thoughts and insights from leaders like Warren Buffett, Nick Saban, James Clear, Dawn Staley, Jurgen Klopp, Jerry Seinfeld, and even Ted Lasso. This resource will take you about 10 minutes to read but a lifetime to apply. You will want to stop and ponder the implications of each quote. Click HERE or on the image provided for immediate download!