The Power and Perils of People-Pleasing Leadership
(free download included)
In the dynamic landscape of leadership, the traits of being a bright, bubbly, people-pleaser can undeniably create a warm and positive atmosphere within a team. However, people-pleasing leaders need to consider the impact of their tendencies. While these traits undoubtedly win friends and foster a sense of camaraderie, relying solely on them can have profound consequences on energy levels, team engagement, and overall outcomes.
Like what? Let’s look.
Energy Levels
People-pleasers tend to constantly give without filling their own cup. This can lead to significant energy depletion among leaders. The relentless effort to please everyone and maintain a positive facade can be emotionally and mentally draining. This impacts the leader’s ability to make sound decisions and lead effectively. Additionally, people pleasers may not delegate as they wish to not overload others or encourage them to step outside their comfort zone. This type of care stifles the opportunity for growth in others.
Team Engagement
Initially, a bright and bubbly leader can boost team morale and create a friendly work environment. However, if not balanced with assertive guidance and constructive criticism, team engagement might suffer. People may become complacent, assuming that their efforts (and excuses) are always commendable. This can flat-line team member’s growth and the pharmacy’s ability to innovate.
Outcome Generation
When leaders focus excessively on people-pleasing, the team might start to lose their sense of direction. When we appease people, we tend to make excuses and exceptions to rules. This can lead to missed deadlines, lack of accountability, and a general decline in productivity. Over time, this could jeopardize the successful execution of crucial business strategies. At a time when strategy is important to not only growth but simple survival, strong, aligned leadership is critical.
Impact on Leaders (and leader-turnover!)
For the leaders themselves, the constant pressure to please can result in burnout. Balancing the expectations of team members, patients, and the pharmacy can lead to stress and exhaustion, hindering long-term professional sustainability.
High-Flying Staff (turnover!)
Inadvertently, people-pleasing leaders can end up hurting their highest-flying team members. This type of leadership style often overlooks negative behaviour within the team. This can be demoralising for your truly invested team members and also result in them doing more. For people-pleasing leaders, addressing issues head-on and fostering a culture of accountability can be challenging, especially when the focus is on keeping everyone ‘happy’.
What’s the Solution?
Recognizing the limitations of being solely bright, bubbly, and a people-pleaser is the first step towards effective leadership. True leadership encompasses a diverse skill set, including the ability to set clear goals, provide constructive feedback, foster innovation, and instill a sense of accountability within the team, all traits underpinned by emotional intelligence.
Leadership Development
Often, people come to leadership positions because they have been good at their job. This doesn’t equip them with the skills to lead others. Investing in leadership development programs is not just an option but a necessity for individual, team, and business survival. These programs offer invaluable insights, helping leaders strike the right balance between warmth and assertiveness. They provide the tools needed to navigate complex situations, address challenges, and drive meaningful outcomes.
The Crux of Leadership
While being bright, bubbly, and a people-pleaser can create a positive initial impression, it’s imperative for leaders to evolve beyond these traits. Effective leadership demands a holistic approach, incorporating diverse skills that are underpinned by emotional intelligence. By investing in continuous leadership development, pharmacies can ensure that their leaders are well-equipped to steer their teams toward success while maintaining their own well-being and professional fulfillment.
Curious how you’re impacting your team’s engagement? (FREE DOWNLOAD)
If you are curious how you’re impacting your team’s engagement complete the form below to download a free 10-question self-assessment.
