Likeable Leadership by Dave Kerpen, Founder & CEO of Likeable Local, a social media agency is filled with examples, tips, a recommended reading list and lessons learned from Dave and other entrepreneurs and business leaders. In other words, it's packed with advice you can start using right away, whether you want to become a better leader, find a better job or just be more successful in general (tip: become more likeable!).
Dave first got people's attention with "11 Simple Concepts to Become a Better Leader," a post on LinkedIn which became one of their top 20 posts of all time, with over 27MM views! As Dave notes, "We can all benefit from becoming better leaders and feeling more inspired, no matter what our jobs are."
Dave shares his insecurities, giving others with similar doubts hope. For example, this self-described "poor kid from Brooklyn," shared that he didn't go on a date until he was 20 years old and didn't have a girlfriend until he was 22. He is now happily married to Carrie Kerpen, who is also his business partner, and a father to three. He almost didn't start his first business, Likable Media, due to his fear of failure.
"Being likeable will help you in your job, business, relationships, and life." - Dave Kerpen
Here are just some of many take aways:
On Being a Likeable Leader
~ The most likeable quality in a leader is not acting like a jerk
~ Great leaders are who they say they are, and have integrity beyond compare
~ Vulnerability and humility create a positive energy and leads to trust and opens people up to what you have to say
~ Likeable leaders are people who are dedicated to the success of others
~ Feedback needs to be honest, empathetic and fair, bold enough to resonate emotionally and to push someone to do better
~ Focus is the single most important factor in determining your success as a business leader
"When you're finished changing, you're finished." - Ben Franklin
On Being Successful
~ The difference between those who are successful vs. unsuccessful is courage - have the courage to follow your heart and intuition
~ Don't let the noise of others drown out your inner voice
~ Give to others first and show gratitude
~ When you genuinely seek to help others succeed in their goals, you'll stand out
~ The most important question you can ask of someone is, "How can I help you?"
"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." - Charles Swindoll
On Your Business
~ If you don't have a great product, no amount of marketing will make a difference
~ Would you click "Like," "Follow," or "Retweet" on your own business?
~ Listen first and never stop listening
~ Reward loyal customers in a fun way
~ Top-of-mind means tip-of-tongue
~ Break through that clutter by being useful, not by shouting louder
"Strive not to be a person of success, but a person of value." - Albert Einstein