Courage to be Disliked
If everyone likes you, you’ve lost yourself.
Meaningful decisions disappoint someone. Agendas collide. Values conflict.
When Being Liked is Your Goal
- Decisions get postponed.
- Truth becomes optional.
- Popularity replaces purpose.
- Approval is your compass.
Don’t be difficult just to prove your independence.
You Might be Disliked When You Ask
- Is it true?
- What are your responsibilities?
- What makes this necessary?
- How does it serve the mission?
- How is this consistent with our values?
- How will it help people grow?
The courage to lead includes the courage to be disliked.
- Say no to protect priorities.
- Confront poor performance.
- Challenge weak ideas.
- Promote the best person.
The call of integrity is more important than being liked.
Integrity asks, “What’s right?” People-pleasing asks, “Will they approve?”
How is needing to be liked holding you back?
4 Simple Ways to Quiet a Need to Be Liked Leadership Freak
For more, read The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.
There’s a difference between being liked and being respected. But too often, folks conflate the two. But you can respect someone even if you don’t like their decision. Or, as my grandmother used to say, “I have to love but I don’t have to like you.”