Being a good leader is not a simple job; it takes experience, practice, good people skills, and so much more. That being said, there are a whole host of human psychology skills and insights that any leader can put to use when the time comes.
Psychology and Leadership
Let’s face it: not everyone is a natural-born leader. For the rest of us, leading takes a bit more effort and a whole lot of observation. Understanding why people behave the way they do is a great place to start–from recognizing the motivations that drive behavior to identifying the fears that hold us back.
By delving into the intricacies of human psychology, you can adjust your leadership approach to better connect with your team, improve the work environment, and ultimately guide those who follow you towards success. It’s as much about understanding your own behavior as it is understanding others.
Emotional Intelligence
This is all about recognising and understanding the emotions of others–in the workplace, at home, or just at the shops, and having a good sense of what others are feeling is paramount. Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is split into several key components that can help a leader;
Self-Awareness
Being aware of your own emotions and how they influence your behaviour is critical. Studies show that leaders with a high level of self-awareness are more likely to succeed.
Self-Regulation
On the other side of the coin is self-regulation–the ability to control or redirect disruptive emotions and impulses in a productive way. It takes a great deal of self-awareness for self-regulation to work. Leaders who can self-regulate can stay calm under pressure, think clearly, and make balanced decisions, which can help to maintain a stable and productive work environment.
Empathy and Social Understanding
Empathetic leaders can build strong, trusting relationships with their staff and clients alike. Leaders can manage better when they recognise and acknowledge their followers’ emotional states, communicate this understanding, and provide support accordingly. As a result of this empathetic support, followers are likely to feel more positive about their work environment, leading to improved performance.
Cognitive Bias
You have likely heard this psychology buzzword before; anyone from a first-year student to a seasoned veteran taking a 4th year psychology course will have listened to their professor explain cognitive biases. They are defined as a consistent pattern of deviation in thinking that arises when individuals process and interpret information from their environment, affecting their decisions and judgments.
Research into cognitive biases by cognitive psychologists has led them to categorise biases into two main categories: biases related to attention and biases related to memory. Cognitive biases are not one thing but a range of phenomena to watch out for, like;
Confirmation Bias
This is the common tendency to listen to information that confirms our beliefs over information that presents a new idea. We all like what we know to be reinforced rather than challenged, so we will often miss new information that contradicts what we know to be true. A good leader has to be aware of their own blinders, considering new information all the time without bias.
Scarcity Bias
My favourite bias (if one is allowed a favourite). Have you ever been to a supermarket and seen a sticker marking an item as half price or on sale with a sign underneath saying “5 maximum per person,”? The supermarket is making you think the item is more scarce than it necessarily is; quick, better get 5 before someone else takes them all. With some creative thinking, you can see how this applies to things like hiring–fewer applicants does not necessarily equate to higher quality.
Anchoring Bias
This is about how we react to information. People tend to rely more heavily on the first piece of information they receive. The adage ‘first impressions count’ comes to mind, but it goes further: the first number someone says in a negotiation becomes the anchoring point, just as the first thing someone says to you sticks in your mind.
False Consensus Bias
This describes how we all have a tendency to imagine others agree with us more than they necessarily do. It might just be more peaceful to imagine a false consensus, but when others really disagree, it’s important to ask why and not just imagine the opposite.
Effective Communication
Everyone has got one, and I’m sure we can all remember a great boss who could communicate with absolutely anyone. But what makes a good communicator? Listening is one of the most important tools at your disposal. The experts suggest that proper listening builds safety, trust, and understanding. It is so important that a plethora of books have been written on active listening. Properly acknowledging and considering what another person has to say takes time and practice.
Listening aside, a lot of communication is non-verbal; your body language, gestures and expression make a huge difference in how the message is delivered. Some studies estimate that only 7% of communication is verbal, 38% is para-verbal (relating to tone and intonation), and 55% is entirely non-verbal.
Clarity and conciseness are your friends, whether you are communicating business needs, giving instructions to others or negotiating the deal of the century. Unnecessary complexity is not good for business.
Of course, communication styles are entirely unique; it will take time to dial in what works for you. Luckily, human psychology offers a good foundation to build on, one that is based on clear-cut evidence and research into what makes an effective communicator.
Leading for the Future
When it comes to improving your own leadership skills, understanding the biases we are all exposed to, the effect of emotional intelligence on our leadership styles, and how to communicate effectively are great places to start.
That being said, becoming a good leader is not something that happens overnight. It takes time and effort, but with a few simple tips and tricks from human psychology, you could be well on the way to a long, fulfilling career in leadership.