Intense business demands can lead to highly task-focused leaders whose myopic approach to getting things done can be productive and it can be harmful, especially if they view people-focused activities as inefficient and a waste of time. Because, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Harvard Business Review says it’s just as important to focus on building relationships, inspiring your team, developing others and showing empathy.  If you’re someone who thinks such a focus will slow you down, consider this:  ignoring the personal needs of the people who work for you can hit your bottom line hard.  It can lead to high turnover, increased absenteeism, and decreased morale, which will bring progress to a grinding halt.  

If you’re an aspiring leader who is mostly focused on checking boxes and accomplishing tasks, a lack of focus on the human side of business might be the very thing that causes others to pass you over at promotion time.