This one is difficult, especially in light of Rule No. 3 (Build Friendship Equity).  Leaders naturally like being liked.  They like being a friend.

But the best leaders are more than just a friend.  They are the disciplinarian.  They are the delegator.  They are the accountability.  They are often the pest who has to follow up with the slack worker.

The best leaders, because they’ve built friendship equity, have the leeway to be more than a friend.

It has been said that “leadership is lonely at the top.”  And it’s true.  Because “at the top” before you’re their friend, you’re their leader, and that sets you apart.  Only when you embrace that will the thing that you’re leading have the potential to become something really special.

So be their friend, yes.  But lead them first.