In Episode 11 of Champion of the Underdog, leadership expert John Graci tackles a truth many leaders avoid: effective leadership often requires being unpopular. If you’re trying to be liked, you’re not leading - you’re managing perceptions.
John challenges leaders with a simple but uncomfortable question:
Are you prepared to be unpopular to do what’s right?
For real leaders, the answer must be yes.
Using examples from politics, business, sports, and his own leadership experience, John explains why criticism is not a sign of failure; it’s often a byproduct of courage. From terminating an employee for repeated tardiness to selecting one supervisor over several candidates, John illustrates how decisive leadership inevitably disappoints some people, and why avoiding those moments erodes credibility.
He also exposes how envy and insecurity fuel criticism, reminding leaders that the more responsibility you carry, the more opinions you’ll attract. Popularity contests create weak leadership. Integrity creates results.
John connects this lesson to parenting, human psychology, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, reinforcing the idea that leaders must sometimes override the desire to be liked in order to protect standards, fairness, and growth.
Key Takeaways:
If you want to lead with integrity, protect standards, and earn real respect, not approval, this episode delivers a powerful reminder of what leadership truly demands.
And as always: If you’re not coaching it, you’re allowing it.
Resources & Links:
If you’re a leader, HR professional, or manager looking for no-nonsense strategies to keep your team engaged and high-performing, this episode is packed with insights you can use right away.
