Ben Horowitz, co-founder of a16z, has a clear message for CEOs: if you want to succeed, choose long-term respect over short-term likability. It sounds simple. But as humans we’re wired to be liked. When faced with tough conversations, our instinct is to soften the blow. To say it nicely. To avoid friction.
Leadership isn’t a popularity contest. To uphold standards, you owe it to your company, your customers, and your investors to do what’s best, especially when it stings.
As Horowitz puts it: “You have to be able to tell the truth in a way that you probably don’t tell most of your friends the truth.”
Real leadership shows up when you make a call most people don’t want to hear.
“Anthropologically, we want people to like us so we tell them what they want to hear. But on a company level, you have to be able to tell them what they don’t want to hear. That’s the most important thing you’re going to say. And yes, they’re not going to like it—but over time it can save the company.”
That’s Horowitz’s push. Seek the respect you’ll need in the long run, even if it costs you smiles in the short run.
