The first quality of a relational leader is the ability to understand how people feel and think.

As you work with others, recognize that all people, whether leaders or followers, have some things in common:

• They like to feel special, so sincerely compliment them.
• They want a better tomorrow, so show them hope.
• They desire direction, so navigate for them.
• They are selfish, so speak to their needs first.
• They get low emotionally, so encourage them.
• They want success, so help them win.

Recognizing these truths, a leader must still be able to treat people as individuals. The ability to look at each person, understand him, and connect with him is a major factor in relational success. That means treating people differently, not all the same as one another. Marketing expert Rod Nichols notes that in business, this is particularly important:

“If you deal with every customer in the same way, you will only close 25 percent to 30 percent of your contacts, because you will only close one personality type. But if you can learn how to effectively work with all four personality types, you can conceivable close 100 percent of your contacts.”

This sensitivity can be called the soft factor in leadership. You have to be able to adapt your leadership style to the person you’re leading.

Adapt your leadership style to the personalities of your people.

How many different types of people do you work with? Are you adapting for each of them? Share with me in the comment box below or on Facebook and Twitter.

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