How likable are you as a leader?

What role does being likable play in a leader's influence over others to shift their thinking and behavior? By expressing personal warmth to your team members, can you inspire others to embrace your vision and shift their attitude and behavior willingly? According to current sociological and psychological research, being seen as genuinely friendly can make a huge difference in your effectiveness as a leader.

A vice president of a Fortune 500 company I am currently coaching demonstrates the powerful influence a likable leader can have on an organization's culture. Sharon was recruited two years ago to her current company to oversee a phone-sales team of 150 people.

At that time, the department was underperforming. After assessing the situation, she determined that individuals met or exceeded their goals for the first several years and then tended to coast in their role. However, mediocre performance and a sense of complacency was tolerated by the company's culture.