Leadership Isn’t About People

It’s About Decisions

Decisions, Decisions...

Leadership is often described as a people-centric role. We hear phrases like “Great leaders inspire people,” “Leadership is about serving others,” and “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad leaders.” It’s all very heartwarming, but let’s cut through the sentimentality for a moment.

Leadership isn’t about people. It’s about decisions.

The Reality of Leadership

Of course, people matter. A leader without people to lead is just someone taking a walk. However, leadership isn’t defined by relationships alone—it’s defined by choices. The choices leaders make shape cultures, drive results, and determine whether an organisation thrives or collapses.

Think about it. A leader can be the most charismatic, emotionally intelligent, and well-liked person in the room, but if their decision-making is weak, none of that matters. A well-intentioned leader who avoids tough choices out of fear of upsetting people is not leading. They’re hesitating.

The Decision-Making Divide

There are two types of leaders: those who prioritise making the right decisions and those who prioritise making people happy. The latter often find themselves trapped in cycles of indecision, trying to keep everyone satisfied while progress grinds to a halt. The former, however, recognise that leadership is about making the best choices, even when they are unpopular.

Effective leaders don’t base decisions on whether people will like them afterwards. They base them on what is right, what aligns with core values, and what will lead to the best outcomes in the long run.

Tough Choices vs. Easy Popularity

The best leaders make decisions that often:

• Challenge the status quo – even when it makes people uncomfortable.

• Require short-term sacrifice – even when employees or stakeholders want an easy win.

• Demand accountability – even when it would be simpler to let things slide.

• Go against popular opinion – even when it makes them the ‘bad guy’ for a while.

Weak leaders, on the other hand, prioritise keeping the peace. They avoid conflict, delay necessary changes, and say what people want to hear instead of what needs to be said.

Leaders Who Prioritise Decisions

History is filled with leaders who weren’t universally adored but made the tough calls necessary for progress. Steve Jobs was known for his ruthless decision-making, cutting projects, firing people, and demanding excellence. Was he always ‘nice’? No. Did he make decisions that transformed Apple into one of the most successful companies in the world? Absolutely.

Winston Churchill wasn’t focused on being liked—he was focused on making the right decisions to lead Britain through a world war. Some of his choices were criticised, but his decisive leadership was crucial in navigating a crisis.

Neither of these leaders prioritised people’s short-term comfort. They prioritised making the decisions that would ultimately lead to success.

The Myth of the ‘People-Pleasing’ Leader

There’s a common misconception that great leaders must always be likable. That’s nonsense. While leadership does require respect, trust, and influence, it does not require approval from everyone at all times.

Some of the most respected leaders were disliked in the moment but admired in hindsight. Why? Because they made the right calls, even when those decisions were unpopular.

Does this mean leaders should ignore people entirely? No. A good leader listens, gathers information, and considers perspectives. However, once a decision is made, they stand by it. They don’t backtrack to avoid criticism or soften the impact to make everyone feel better.

Leadership in Action

If you want to test whether someone is a real leader, don’t look at how many people like them. Look at the decisions they make. Are they clear, decisive, and based on sound reasoning? Or are they vague, hesitant, and driven by a need to be liked?

Leadership isn’t about making everyone happy—it’s about moving forward with conviction. It’s about recognising that you will never please everyone, and that’s fine. The only thing that matters is making the right choices and standing by them.

So, the next time you think about leadership, don’t ask, “Do people like me?” Ask, “Am I making the right decisions?”

That’s what defines a leader.

Over to You

What’s the hardest leadership decision you’ve ever had to make? Did it cost you popularity, or did it earn you long-term respect? Let’s talk in the comments.