APPROACHABLE
WHY IT MATTERS
A leader can’t lead people who are intimidated to approach or interact with them. Leaders that are approachable do more than just implement an “open door policy.” Through their demeanor and interpersonal skills, they make it comfortable and non-threatening for people to be around them. Leaders that are approachable learn and know things other leaders don’t because their people come to them, don’t hide things from them, and feel safe telling them the truth. Equipped with the knowledge of things as they really are, leaders that are approachable can advance their vision forward. Leaders that are not approachable will find their people avoiding and hiding things from them, and will never see reality clearly.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders that are approachable have an inherent belief in the equality of all people, regardless of position. They feel it is their responsibility as a leader to help everyone feel valued. They don’t believe that just because someone holds a specific position that makes them more or less important than someone else. They recognize that despite being the leader they are the same as any other person, but with an extraordinary opportunity to bring good to those around them. Because of their sense of humility, people feel safe around them.
Leaders that are approachable are not afraid to open up and let people know them for who they really are. They know people are much more likely to trust and follow someone who doesn’t feel like a stranger. Rather than leading through position, they lead through relationships. As the leader, they don’t hide who they really are in order to appear perfect. They open up and try to relate to everyone around them. To them, being a leader means being real, so people can feel safe being real back.
Leaders that are approachable are able and willing to talk or meet with anyone, at any time. The door to their office is open, literally, and not just figuratively. They put people above tasks. They avoid setting up barriers between themselves and the organization. They take time to talk to and really understand people. Where the number of employees in the organization makes it impossible to meet with everyone, they use technology and find other ways to reach out and connect.
Leaders that are approachable go out of their way to really know their people as individuals. They are disarming. They know that inherent in their position as a leader is a principle of intimidation that will naturally make many people feel like they should stay away. They do all they can to erase these natural barriers that can exist.
Leaders that are approachable spend as much time working alongside people in their organization as possible. They visit employees who do the actual work, thank them, work alongside them, encourage them, and are visible to them.
Leaders that are approachable always focus on the person in front of them, instead of being distracted by issues, problems, or tasks that await them. They make people feel like they really matter, and make people feel comfortable by just being themselves.
BELIEFS
BEST PRACTICES
SELF-REFLECTION
A leader can’t lead people who are intimidated to approach or interact with them. Leaders that are approachable do more than just implement an “open door policy.” Through their demeanor and interpersonal skills, they make it comfortable and non-threatening for people to be around them. Leaders that are approachable learn and know things other leaders don’t because their people come to them, don’t hide things from them, and feel safe telling them the truth. Equipped with the knowledge of things as they really are, leaders that are approachable can advance their vision forward. Leaders that are not approachable will find their people avoiding and hiding things from them, and will never see reality clearly.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders that are approachable have an inherent belief in the equality of all people, regardless of position. They feel it is their responsibility as a leader to help everyone feel valued. They don’t believe that just because someone holds a specific position that makes them more or less important than someone else. They recognize that despite being the leader they are the same as any other person, but with an extraordinary opportunity to bring good to those around them. Because of their sense of humility, people feel safe around them.
Leaders that are approachable are not afraid to open up and let people know them for who they really are. They know people are much more likely to trust and follow someone who doesn’t feel like a stranger. Rather than leading through position, they lead through relationships. As the leader, they don’t hide who they really are in order to appear perfect. They open up and try to relate to everyone around them. To them, being a leader means being real, so people can feel safe being real back.
Leaders that are approachable are able and willing to talk or meet with anyone, at any time. The door to their office is open, literally, and not just figuratively. They put people above tasks. They avoid setting up barriers between themselves and the organization. They take time to talk to and really understand people. Where the number of employees in the organization makes it impossible to meet with everyone, they use technology and find other ways to reach out and connect.
Leaders that are approachable go out of their way to really know their people as individuals. They are disarming. They know that inherent in their position as a leader is a principle of intimidation that will naturally make many people feel like they should stay away. They do all they can to erase these natural barriers that can exist.
Leaders that are approachable spend as much time working alongside people in their organization as possible. They visit employees who do the actual work, thank them, work alongside them, encourage them, and are visible to them.
Leaders that are approachable always focus on the person in front of them, instead of being distracted by issues, problems, or tasks that await them. They make people feel like they really matter, and make people feel comfortable by just being themselves.
BELIEFS
- If you think that because you are the leader you are better than others, it won’t be long until there is no one for you to lead.
- Leaders gain the ability to make things happen because people know them, trust them, and want to give their best for them.
- People will naturally hesitate to approach you because you are the leader. You need to break down that barrier.
- The more real you are, the more real people will be with you. The more pretend you are, the more pretend people will be with you.
- Being approachable doesn’t just mean letting people talk to you, it means you reaching out to talk to them.
- The key to approachability is real humility and sincerely caring about people. Being approachable isn’t something you can fake.
- Your people can feel if you are approachable or not, and they will either choose to come to you or try to avoid you.
- The great key to being approachable is just good old-fashioned respect and kindness for everyone around you.
BEST PRACTICES
- Be comfortable talking about yourself.
- Make it easy for people to talk to you.
- Look for chances to connect with people.
- Don’t intimidate others on purpose.
- Try to make people feel at ease around you.
- Be outgoing but not overbearing.
- Don’t be afraid of letting people get to know you.
- Treat people with warmth and kindness.
- Keep focus on the person in front of you.
- Don’t be afraid of people knowing who you are.
- Be friendly and outgoing in your interactions.
- Spend time building relationships.
- Put other people’s needs and priorities first.
- Be sensitive to people’s need for your time.
- Try to understand how others think and feel.
- Be genuine and sincere in your interactions.
- Make time to really listen to people.
- Be interested in what is important to others.
- Be patient with people’s insecurity.
- Make people feel good about themselves.
- Appreciate people for who they are.
- Make other people feel like your friend.
SELF-REFLECTION
- Do I treat everyone as my equal, or do I believe being the leader makes me better than other people?
- Do I value people for who they are and what they do, or do I get caught up in the position a person holds?
- Do I open up and let people get to know me, or do I hesitate to let other people get to know who I really am?
- Do I need to appear perfect, or do I have the humility to let others see my frailties and imperfections?
- Do I leave my office and spend time with those I lead, or do I stay glued to my desk?
- Do I make time for people when they need me, or do I make it hard for people to come and talk to me?
- Do I create barriers between myself and the organization, or do I open up channels between us?
- Do I disarm people and make them feel comfortable around me, or do I unknowingly intimidate people?
- Don’t fail to complete your own work in a high-quality manner because you are too afraid to tell people you are busy.
- Don’t let your desire to be seen as an “equal” with people make you fail to be the leader when you have to be.
- Don’t stretch yourself or your time too thin because you spend so much time being with your people.
- People tend to seek me out in a crowd.
- I go out of my way to get to know people.
- I am very comfortable introducing myself to a crowd.
- I have been told that I am easy to be around.
- I would say that I am outgoing.
- I like to make people like me.
- I am good at building rapport.