Company Blog

Do They Like You? Does It Matter?

by Adam Zack — March 2, 2016

Like and respect go hand in hand

At one time or another we have all had bosses that we think are total a-holes. The type that manages through intimidation and fear and consider employees as servants who are lucky to be getting paid to do their menial job. This was much more prevalent in past decades, but unfortunately it’s still around today. Now, you are much more likely to have one that because of stress and business pressures just seems to be in a bad mood all the time. They don’t smile, seem too busy to care about employees’ personal situations and are just not pleasant to be around. Their job title may get respect, but do they as a person?

Does an effective leader have to be liked by the majority of his or her employees to get the efficiency, honesty and customer service that is necessary to keep sales and profits humming? Certainly there are examples of prodigious leaders that were ball busters but wildly successful, such as Jack Welch and Steve Jobs. But they were also geniuses. And just what does it take to make employees like you? Is it because you give them all they want and more? Because you stand around and joke and tell stories with them all day? Of course not. It’s ridiculous that I even wrote that. Employees like you when they know you care about them. You care enough to be consistent and honest and fair. To do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. When they don’t sense favoritism or see rules enforced erratically and sporadically.

Great leaders leave their personal problems at home so employees don’t worry that today is a “walking on eggshells” day. Like and respect go hand in hand for a successful leader, and in the grocery business if your employees like you, they tell your customers and the result is one more level of great service and satisfaction. Like, totally.