Opposing Practices: Leadership versus Likership

Have you ever avoided having a tough conversation with friends because you were worried that they might not like you anymore? Following this principle that some things are better left unsaid has undoubtedly kept many friendships intact. We all want to be liked. Sadly, the desire to be liked accompanies many on their leadership journey and prevents them — and the team they lead — from achieving their full potential. This is because “likership” is not equal to leadership. Now, you might be thinking that likership isn’t a thing. (After all, even as I type this, Microsoft is telling me that likership is a misspelled word.) But I promise you: Likership is a leadership problem. No matter the environment they operate in, leaders are people who influence others by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the team’s mission and to improve the team. That’s called leadership. If they don’t do this, then they’re not leading. And if they are not leading, they’re not leaders. <a href="https://medium.com/horizonperformance/opposing-practices-leadership-versus-likership-1e09a881af11">Read More</a>