For a successful leader which, is the most important, strength (root of respect) or warmth (root of affection)? Neffinger and Kohut in Compelling People. The Hidden Qualities That Make Us Influential discuss how leaders need both but is it possible to project both at the same time?
- Leading people ultimately demands satisfying two primary needs for the group; projecting enough strength to protect it from threats and keep it on track and projecting enough warmth to recruit and retain others who will realize the group’s vision.
- They can be in direct tension as projecting strength (making decisions, being serious, etc.) can make leaders appear less warm and most signals of warmth (smiling, caring about people, etc.) can leave a leader seeming more submissive than strong,
- Leadership resides in the ongoing balance between strength and warmth, and leaders need to demonstrate both actively in the presence of their staff. The most effective leaders are those who project consistently high levels of strength and warmth and have the contextual intelligence to know how to use them.
- Strength is a person’s capacity to make things happen with abilities and force of will or getting things done. It is leadership mastery. When people project strength they command respect. Leadership and strength are inextricably bound together for followers.
- Effective leaders also need to move beyond respect to admiration and be liked which is projecting warmth.
- Warmth is the sense that a person shares our feelings, interests and view of the world. Leadership’s sense of belonging. When people project warmth, we like and support them.
- It is the sense of being on the same team or recognizing shared interests and concerns with the leader.
- Empathy is putting yourself in the shoes of the other person both feelings and shared perception “I understand why you feel a certain way”.
- Familiarity being similar to them so feel safe
- Attachment basic affection or a good fit and shared values
As a leader between strength and warmth which do you naturally project and how can you add a bit more of the other one to your leadership? Does this balance change if you are under pressure and is it a good change?
#Resident #PharmacyPracticeManagers #ResidencyProgramDirector #NewPractitioners #PharmacyStudents #PharmacyLeadership