In the past, when someone thought of a business leader, a warm and welcoming personality was usually not something that came to mind easily. The cold, hostile and distant management attitudes of the 1960s, 70s and 80s have changed dramatically in the last two decades. A leader who cannot smile, speak the language of his followers or connect on a human level, heart to heart, will most likely be removed from any leadership position.

Have you noticed today’s leaders? They are connectors. They work in a network. They do not seclude themselves in offices and become inaccessible to their electorate. Instead, they are active at events, in the media, and even as guests on popular TV shows. While some of that behavior is certainly distracting and detracting, and occasionally inappropriate for their leadership role, the main point is that they’re just being human, having fun like anyone else. They are being “part of” something. They are freeing themselves from the command and control model of yesteryear.

Today, leadership demands a new paradigm, one that comes from a more compassionate and collaborative perspective. Today, business is all about connecting with others. It’s about collaborating and being authentic without being narcissistic, selfish or arrogant. If you want to be a successful leader, you must lead from the trenches. Your experiences should be like those of your followers. If you don’t know what it’s like to work in the trenches of your organization, then you certainly can’t lead it effectively from a high, elevated, disconnected corner office.

How do you connect with others? How do you show others that you care about them and what interests them? What specifically do you do to make environments friendly, welcoming, and collaborative?

“Good leaders make people feel like they’re at the center of things, not on the periphery. Everyone feels like he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens, people feel centered and that gives meaning to your work. –Warren Bennis