Everybody likes to be liked. But, effective leaders know and accept that they might sometimes be lonely at work. They resist the strong temptation to be universally liked. Leaders who try to please everybody end up pleasing nobody.
Effective leaders know that the job is not about friendship but rather about getting stuff done.
If these things are done with fairness and respect for others, the high regard earned will more than offset the loneliness of being an effective leader. And the results will be evident in a well-run business and a well-led team.
