Leadership is a delicate balancing act.
People think of a leader as someone with authority: they can command a room, persuade others to take action, and make critical decisions in the heat of the moment. Authoritative leaders are decisive and have no problem taking control.
Leaders can’t just rely on authoritativeness, though: without approachability, authority can quickly become rigid. People don’t connect with leaders that lack warmth or openness. Authority on its own can create a sense of distance and even fear among team members. Employees may hesitate to share their ideas or provide honest feedback, leading to communication breakdowns and missed opportunities for innovation. In contrast, leaders who are approachable encourage an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, where people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work.
A great leader knows how to listen as well as they direct, how to guide without micromanaging, and how to maintain authority while being open to dialogue. It’s this balance that creates respect and genuine connections with the team.
So: how can authoritative leaders make sure they’re approachable?
Why Authoritative Leaders Must Also Be Approachable
Approachability is how you build trust and foster a collaborative team environment. Psychological safety, which we’ve covered in detail on our blog, creates the foundation for this environment—where team members feel safe sharing ideas, raising concerns, and providing honest feedback. But creating psychological safety doesn’t happen by chance; it requires leaders to be intentionally approachable.
This idea was underscored in a 2022 NIH study on team leadership, which found that being approachable means more than just avoiding negative behaviors. It involves actively fostering conditions where team members feel comfortable speaking up without fear or hesitation. This is especially important in hierarchical structures, where subordinates may hesitate to voice concerns due to fear of retribution or the belief that their input isn’t valued.
The study demonstrated that leaders who signal their approachability through actions like being present, thinking aloud about their decision-making processes, and engaging in debriefings after critical events foster psychological safety within their teams. This safety encourages team members to provide honest feedback and share innovative ideas, enhancing both communication and team performance. When team members feel that their input is welcomed, rather than viewed as an act of bravery, they are more likely to contribute to problem-solving and decision-making, driving engagement and innovation within the organization.
By cultivating an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, authoritative leaders can ensure that they are both respected for their decisiveness and also trusted as collaborators who value the contributions of others. This approach ultimately leads to stronger team dynamics and better outcomes.
The Reverse: Why Approachable Leaders Must Also Be Authoritative
We’ve established that approachability is critical for promoting trust and collaboration. However, on its own, approachability is not enough to create a strong leader.
Approachable leaders that lack authority can inadvertently foster environments where there’s a lack of clear direction, reduced accountability, and diminished respect. Leaders who focus too much on being approachable may struggle with setting boundaries or maintaining control, which can cause teams to lose focus. That’s why approachable leaders must also maintain a clear sense of authority to ensure that their teams remain productive.
Research from Management Review Quarterly supports this by emphasizing that while authoritative leaders are often viewed negatively for creating hierarchical power distances, they can, in specific contexts, boost performance when applied correctly.
For example, in high-pressure or structured environments, authoritative leadership can bring needed direction and discipline, especially in teams that value traditional hierarchical structures. Leaders who balance authority with approachability can prevent indecision and ensure that their team stays aligned with organizational goals, avoiding the pitfalls of overly permissive leadership.
Moreover, the study suggests that leaders should adjust their degree of authoritarianism depending on the context to connect leadership more effectively with performance. This hybrid approach allows leaders to maintain the benefits of both authority and approachability, ensuring that team members feel safe while still adhering to high-performance standards.
In short, authoritative leaders foster accountability and decisiveness, while approachable leaders encourage innovation and collaboration. Both elements are crucial for effective leadership, and when combined, they create a balanced approach that leads to stronger team dynamics and better outcomes.
Effective Strategies for Authoritative Leaders to Balance Authority and Approachability
To achieve the right equilibrium between asserting authority and maintaining a sense of openness, leaders must adopt strategies that promote trust and collaboration without compromising their ability to make tough decisions.
Here are several approaches to help leaders navigate this balance.
- Communicate Clear Expectations Without Micromanaging: Setting clear goals gives you the authority to hold people accountable, but it’s important not to hover. If you trust your team to deliver, you can step back and give them the space to do so. This way, you’re seen as someone who provides direction without stifling creativity or autonomy. Open channels for feedback ensure that even while maintaining control, you’re approachable when team members need support.
- Be Human, But Don’t Lose Your Edge: Leaders who are approachable often show their human side. They ask how a team member’s weekend went, they remember important details, and they are present. Yet, being approachable doesn’t mean being overly casual. It’s about striking a balance between showing empathy and maintaining a level of professionalism that earns respect. It’s important to avoid veering into friend territory—keep the lines clear so you can still make tough calls when necessary.
- Delegate, But Stay Involved: Trust your team by delegating responsibilities, but don’t disappear. Effective leaders check in without micromanaging. This kind of delegation empowers the team while reinforcing your authority. By being accessible for questions and guidance, you balance the authoritative need to steer the project while ensuring you’re approachable enough to offer help when it’s needed.
- Be Transparent to Build Trust: Being transparent with your decision-making process makes you approachable even when exercising authority. When people understand why you make certain calls, they are more likely to trust and respect those decisions. Explain your rationale openly, but do so without seeking validation for every choice—that’s when you retain your leadership authority.
- Adjust Your Leadership Based on the Situation: Some circumstances call for firm decisions, while others benefit from a softer approach. Leaders who adjust their style depending on the context maintain authority while showing they are flexible enough to adapt when necessary. Whether in a high-stakes crisis or during routine operations, knowing when to pivot between being directive and collaborative is key to navigating this balance.
- Recognize Wins, Address Failures Directly: People are more likely to accept criticism when they know it’s coming from someone who recognizes their efforts. Praising good work shows that you value contributions, making you approachable. On the other hand, addressing mistakes directly, with the intent to improve, reinforces your authority. Done well, both practices can create a high-trust, high-performance environment.
By weaving these strategies into your leadership, you solidify your position as an authoritative leader while cultivating an environment where team members feel comfortable and motivated. Finding the right balance takes practice, but the results—a team that respects your leadership while feeling valued—are worth the effort.
The Continuous Journey to Effective Leadership
Authority and approachability are not mutually exclusive. In fact, when thoughtfully integrated, they create a leadership style that not only commands respect but also fosters collaboration and trust. It’s the nuanced interplay of these qualities that allows leaders to inspire loyalty while driving performance.
As you reflect on your own leadership style, consider how your actions—both assertive and compassionate—impact your team’s environment. Striking the right balance between decisiveness and connection isn’t a one-time achievement but an ongoing practice of self-awareness and growth.
Ready to deepen your leadership skills? Arden Coaching offers tailored coaching programs designed to help you master the balance between authority and approachability, transforming you into a leader who commands respect and builds lasting relationships.
Discover how personalized coaching can elevate your leadership—schedule a consultation with Arden Coaching today!