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Sachin Jain: One of the Greatest Challenges Leaders Face is Overcoming the Deep Human need to be liked

Sachin Jain/LinkedIn

Jun 10, 2025, 09:31

Sachin Jain: One of the Greatest Challenges Leaders Face is Overcoming the Deep Human need to be liked

Sachin Jain, President and CEO of SCAN Group and Health Plan and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“One of the greatest challenges leaders face is overcoming the deep human need to be liked.

As human beings, we naturally crave the approval of others. We want those around us to see us as kind, fair, and well-intentioned—and in many situations, this instinct makes us better leaders.

But too often, the desire to be liked stands in the way of doing what’s right. The right course of action may be unpopular, poorly received, or even seen as unfair by those with a different perspective. When we prioritize approval over principle, we risk losing ourselves. The need to be liked can quietly erode our integrity.

So how can we build the muscle to move beyond this need?

• Clarify your personal “true north.”
Anchor yourself in a purpose deeper than being liked—whether it’s serving others, driving results, or achieving an important goal.

• Strengthen your communication skills.
Learn to clearly and confidently explain why an unpopular decision must be made. Good communication can soften resistance and reduce backlash.

• Consider the silent supporters.
Who might quietly value the tough choice you’re making? Bring their perspectives to the forefront to balance the loud voices of dissent.

• Reflect on your need for approval.
Explore why being liked matters so much to you. Understanding its roots may help loosen its grip.

• Practice small acts of principled dissent. Start by making minor, unpopular decisions—and notice that you can survive the discomfort. This builds confidence for bigger moments.

• Recognize the cost of always seeking approval. What missteps or regrets in your past came from wanting to be liked rather than doing what was right? Let those lessons guide you forward.

Building the capacity to rise above the need for approval is one of leadership’s most underappreciated skills.

But it’s essential—and worth the deliberate effort to cultivate.”

Sachin Jain reflects on how the innate human desire for approval can conflict with principled leadership. He outlines practical steps to strengthen leadership integrity, including anchoring in purpose, improving communication, and practicing principled dissent.

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