How A Leader Treats Their Team Says a Lot About Their Personality

How You Make Others Feel

Four months ago, I stood in line to cash out some items I picked up at the supermarket. A manager stopped one of the employees on the floor and scolded him in front of everyone in the waiting area, saying, “How could you forget the things I asked you for? You’re not using your brain.” I felt awful for the guy because the lady’s tone was disgusting, and it was clear from his embarrassed expression that he was humiliated.

When I saw this, I thought, “Wow! How on earth are these people responsible for leading others?” I can only conclude that they are not being mentored or coached in their leadership roles. They lack the necessary training and have no people skills whatsoever. Time and time again, I’ve witnessed individuals being promoted to leadership positions despite not understanding what constitutes even the basic aspects of leading.

It’s incredibly disheartening to recognize that a significant number of individuals come to view toxic behaviors as part of their everyday experiences. For many, enduring verbal abuse from a manager has become an unfortunate norm, leading to feelings of demoralization and anxiety. Furthermore, working in an environment riddled with distrust and deceit creates a heavy emotional burden, making it difficult for employees to feel safe or secure.

In such workplaces, gossip often flourishes, leading to an atmosphere where support and camaraderie are overshadowed by suspicion and fear. Rather than promoting teamwork and collaboration, the focus shifts to self-preservation, with individuals feeling compelled to prioritize their own interests over collective well-being. This relentless struggle not only impacts mental health but also erodes the overall sense of community within the workplace. It is heartbreaking to think that so many people are forced to navigate such a detrimental environment when they deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. Everyone should have the right to feel valued and supported at work.

How you see others is linked to how happy, kind-hearted, and emotionally stable you are.

Recent research conducted by a psychology professor at Wake Forest University has revealed intriguing insights into the relationship between an individual’s perceptions of others and their own personality traits. The study involved participants who were asked to evaluate both positive and negative characteristics of just three individuals. This seemingly simple task provided the researchers with significant information regarding the participants’ well-being, mental health, social attitudes, and how they are perceived by others.

The findings indicated a compelling correlation: individuals who described others in positive terms often exhibited more positive personality traits. Specifically, the researchers noted that such positive evaluations were strongly linked to higher levels of enthusiasm, happiness, kindness, courtesy, emotional stability, and overall capability. This suggests that the way a person perceives and judges others can serve as a reflective measure of their own inner disposition and self-view. It emphasizes the idea that our interactions and opinions about those around us are often mirrors of our inner selves, revealing much about our personality and emotional landscape.

“Seeing others positively reveals our own positive traits.”

In contrast, negative perceptions of others have been found to correlate with increased levels of narcissism and antisocial behavior. According to Wood, a significant array of adverse personality traits is associated with the inclination to view others unfavorably. This tendency to perceive individuals negatively not only reflects a broader dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships but also indicates a higher probability of experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, as well as the emergence of various personality disorders. Essentially, a persistent negative worldview can serve as a warning sign for more serious psychological challenges.

The moment you believe you have the right to belittle others due to your perceived superiority is the precise moment you reveal your lack of true power, as noted by leadership expert Lolly Daskal. This insight highlights a fundamental truth about human interactions: people often project their own feelings onto others. Whether those feelings are positive or negative, how a leader labels, judges, and values the individuals around them offers profound insights into their character and self-esteem.

Entrepreneur Richard Branson, renowned for building highly successful companies grounded in the principle of fostering happy and engaged workforces, emphasizes the importance of employee satisfaction. He states, “Your employees are your company’s real competitive advantage. They’re the ones making the magic happen—so long as their needs are being met.” This perspective underscores the fact that when leaders prioritize the well-being of their teams, the result is often enhanced performance and innovation.

Entering the realm of leadership is fundamentally about engaging with people. It involves inspiring and motivating people to achieve collective goals. Effective leaders lead by example, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty and change. Leadership calls for a willingness to embrace new challenges, and the most successful leaders are those who exhibit flexibility in adjusting their approaches and strategies when circumstances evolve.

Mike Myatt, CEO of N2growth, provides a critical reflection on the misconceptions surrounding leadership. He asserts, “If you think leadership is about you, oh boy, your ego has led you astray. Leadership has little to do with you and everything to do with those you lead. If you think leadership is about the bottom line, think again; it’s about the people. Without people, there is no bottom line.” This statement reinforces the idea that true leadership is rooted in serving others, building connections, and prioritizing the needs of the team over personal ambition.

Leaders who maintain high standards for both themselves and their teams are characterized by a commitment to continuous improvement and performance enhancement. They possess the ability to identify opportunities in challenges, cultivating a positive atmosphere that builds respect, cooperation, and effective collaboration. On the contrary, leaders who frequently resort to negative and critical labeling of others often reveal their own inner emptiness and a lack of self-esteem. This detrimental behavior not only undermines morale but also poses significant risks to the vitality and success of any organization. By creating a culture of respect and encouragement, leaders can create an environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered, ultimately driving collective success.

About The Author

Gifford Thomas is the founder of Leadership First and understands the challenges that many leaders face. Gifford is deeply committed to sharing the best inspirational quotes and articles to encourage and uplift every leader by providing a daily dose of inspiration to support you through your leadership journey.