Deprecated: Required parameter $value follows optional parameter $field in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/memberpress/app/lib/MeprUtils.php on line 1756

Deprecated: Required parameter $key_type follows optional parameter $data in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/core/components/api/Service.php on line 516

Deprecated: Required parameter $key_type follows optional parameter $data in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/core/components/api/Service.php on line 533

Deprecated: Required parameter $negate follows optional parameter $value in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/core/components/post/Query.php on line 91

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 1945

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 2640

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 2684

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 3052

Deprecated: Required parameter $background_tab follows optional parameter $base_name in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 7903

Deprecated: Required parameter $tab_slug follows optional parameter $base_name in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 7903

Deprecated: Required parameter $toggle_slug follows optional parameter $base_name in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 7903

Deprecated: Required parameter $group_label follows optional parameter $id in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/class-et-builder-element.php on line 9627

Deprecated: Required parameter $function_name follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/main-structure-elements.php on line 567

Deprecated: Required parameter $function_name follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/main-structure-elements.php on line 1540

Deprecated: Required parameter $function_name follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/main-structure-elements.php on line 1983

Deprecated: Required parameter $function_name follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/main-structure-elements.php on line 2248

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/type/PostContent.php on line 449

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/type/WithSpamProtection.php on line 332

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Accordion.php on line 266

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Audio.php on line 321

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/BarCounters.php on line 220

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/BarCountersItem.php on line 289

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Blog.php on line 1144

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Blurb.php on line 508

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Button.php on line 159

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/CircleCounter.php on line 206

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Code.php on line 77

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Comments.php on line 454

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/ContactForm.php on line 372

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/ContactFormItem.php on line 358

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/CountdownTimer.php on line 168

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Cta.php on line 209

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Divider.php on line 191

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FilterablePortfolio.php on line 475

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthCode.php on line 71

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthHeader.php on line 593

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthImage.php on line 216

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthMap.php on line 201

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthMenu.php on line 966

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthPortfolio.php on line 404

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthPostSlider.php on line 901

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthPostTitle.php on line 312

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/FullwidthSlider.php on line 626

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Gallery.php on line 492

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Image.php on line 287

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Login.php on line 242

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Map.php on line 212

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/MapItem.php on line 89

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Menu.php on line 958

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/NumberCounter.php on line 163

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Portfolio.php on line 486

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/PostSlider.php on line 907

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/PostTitle.php on line 313

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/PostsNavigation.php on line 317

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/PricingTables.php on line 513

Deprecated: Required parameter $function_name follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/PricingTables.php on line 838

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/PricingTablesItem.php on line 411

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Search.php on line 266

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Shop.php on line 648

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Sidebar.php on line 184

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Signup.php on line 984

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Slider.php on line 627

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/SliderItem.php on line 634

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/SocialMediaFollow.php on line 247

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/SocialMediaFollowItem.php on line 333

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Tabs.php on line 200

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/TabsItem.php on line 158

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/TeamMember.php on line 326

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Testimonial.php on line 481

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Text.php on line 493

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Toggle.php on line 318

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/Video.php on line 298

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/VideoSlider.php on line 227

Deprecated: Required parameter $render_slug follows optional parameter $content in /var/www/wp-content/themes/Divi/includes/builder/module/VideoSliderItem.php on line 315
Influential Leadership - Become the Happy Warrior – Transition Point Business Advisors

Influential Leadership – Become the Happy Warrior

In a recent Harvard Business Review article, “Connect, Then Lead,” authors Cuddy, Kohut and Neffinger tackle the 500 year old question, “Is it better to be loved or feared?” In their research, they discovered that the answer is BOTH.  When we judge others as leaders, we look at two characteristics: how lovable they are (their warmth, communion, or trustworthiness) and how fearsome they are (their strength, agency or competence.)  It is interesting to note how an imbalance of these characteristics affect others.  People judged to be competent but lacking in warmth often elicit envy.    On the other hand, people considered to be warm but incompetent tend to elicit pity.  Compassion may move us to help those we pity but our lack of respect will ultimately lead us to neglect them.

So – which is better, being lovable or being strong?  The authors pose that leaders who tend to emphasize their strength, competence and credentials before establishing trust run the risk of being feared and along with it a host of other dysfunctional behaviors.  Fear also undermines creativity and problem solving which can cause employees to “get stuck.”  This is illustrated by research completed by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman.  In a study of 51,836 leaders, only 27 of them were rated in the bottom quartile in terms of likability and in the top quartile in terms of overall leadership effectiveness.  In other words, the chances that a manager who is strongly disliked will be considered a good leader are only about one in 2,000.

So, what happens when we lead with strength first?  It is interesting to note that although many of us strive to show others how competent we are first – we often don’t feel the need to prove we are trustworthy.  This contradicts what research proves which is that evidence of being trustworthy is the first thing we look for in others.  Putting competence first undermines leadership:  people may comply outwardly but they are much less likely to adopt the values, culture and mission of the organization.

What happens when we lead with warmth?  Research shows that people consistently pick up on warmth before competence.  Trust increases information sharing, openness, and cooperation.  Trust also facilitates the exchange and acceptance of ideas.  The authors point out that the most important outcome of trust is the opportunity to change people’s attitude and beliefs, not just their outward behavior.

Feeling overwhelmed?  Based upon this article, it appears that the best way to lead is with both but even Machiavelli realized the challenge when he said, “It is difficult to unite them (love and fear) in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved.”  When you really think about it however, the traits can actually be mutually reinforcing.  When we are feeling a sense of personal strength, we tend to be more open, less threatened and less threatening in stressful situations.  If we feel confident and calm, we project authenticity and warmth.

So, how do we become “Happy Warriors?”  Leaders who face troubles without being troubled?  Leaders who can reassure those around them that whatever challenges we may need to face, things will work out in the end.  Believe it or not – it all starts with hormones!    Research suggests that two hormones play a big role in how we face leadership:  testosterone (associated with assertiveness, reduced fear, and willingness to compete and take risks) and cortisol (associated with stress and stress reactivity.)  Leaders who exhibit this unique physiological profile are seen as the most effective leaders – regardless of gender.

What if you aren’t a natural Happy Warrior?  The authors give several great tips on how to project both warmth and strength.

To project warmth:

1. Find the right level: create vocal warmth by speaking with a lower pitch and volume – as if you were comforting a friend.  This suggests that you are leveling with people.
2. Validate feelings: before people will decide what they think of your message, they decide what they think of you.  Showing people that you share roughly the same worldview as they do will demonstrate not only empathy but, in their eyes, common sense – the ultimate qualification for being listened to.
3. Smile – and mean it:  find some reason to be happy wherever you may be – even if you have to resort to laughing at your predicament.

To project strength:

1. Feel in command: warmth may be hard to fake but confidence is harder to talk yourself into.  Feeling in command and confident is about connecting with yourself.  When we are connected with ourselves, it is much easier to connect with others.
2. Stand up straight: good posture not only projects authority but an intention to be taken seriously.
3. Get ahold of yourself: when you move – move deliberately.  When you are finished moving – be still.  Twitching, fidgeting or other visual static sends the signal that you are not in control.  Stillness demonstrates calm.

Some of you are probably thinking that this will feel awkward and unnatural.  One thing I find is that new things generally are when we are trying to establish a new behavior or habit.  The great thing is that it gets easier once we start getting a positive response to our efforts.  In her book, Presence – Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, Amy Cuddy goes into more detail about how to demonstrate warmth and project strength even if those don’t come naturally.  If you want to improve your overall leadership effectiveness by creating a balance of warmth and strength, I highly recommend Amy’s book.  It is also an amazing Ted Talk!

Blog by Rena Striegel, President

For more information or how we can help you regarding Business Continuity and Succession Planning, please fill out our Contact Us Form or contact us at 515-225-4486

Transition Point Business Advisors

4125 Westown Parkway, Suite 104 · West Des Moines, IA 50266 · Phone: (515) 225-4486

© 2024 Transition Point Business Advisors
All registered and common law trademarks are owned by Transition Point Business Advisors or their respective owners.
Disclaimer