Welcome to this episode of Jack Chat and another tiny lesson in leadership, straight up.
In this episode, we need to talk about how popular you are….
Anyway… I’m fairly certain you’ve heard leadership advice that sounds something like this:
“Leadership isn’t a popularity contest” or “You’re not here to be liked.”
Here’s the thing, if you’re spending time debating the merits of popularity as a goal for leaders, you’ve missed the point. You’re seeking an answer to the wrong question. A question that can be a dangerous distraction from the truth of leading others.
To be clear: I’m not saying the goal of leadership is to be unpopular—that’s nonsense.
The goal of leadership is to do good work. To build trust. To hold high standards. To actually give a damn about people.
And—surprise!—leaders who do that typically end up being liked. Not because they chased it. But because they led with courage, clarity, and care.
Here’s some self-reflection questions to help you keep things in perspective:
- Do I mistake being liked for being weak?
- Where am I avoiding emotional investment in the name of “professionalism”?
- Am I creating distance because it’s wise—or because it’s easier?
Give those questions some thought and join me again for another chat.
