Building connections that last: how affiliative leadership fosters belonging and success
What’s the secret to forming strong, lasting relationships at work? It’s not just about hitting targets; it’s about building connections that feel genuine, supportive, and collaborative. Leaders who master this style create environments where people feel valued and understood. This is the essence of the affiliative leadership style—the fourth and final pillar of constructive leadership.
Affiliative leaders focus on relationships, promoting teamwork and ensuring that people feel cared for. These leaders know that when individuals feel connected and supported, the entire team benefits. It’s about creating harmony in the workplace, where conversations flow easily, collaboration is seamless, and results are achieved without sacrificing relationships.
What is affiliative leadership?
Affiliative leadership is all about forming meaningful, authentic relationships with your team and peers. It’s a style that recognises the value of every individual, not just in terms of performance but in terms of the human connections that drive long-term success.
If you’re looking to build more meaningful relationships at work, where communication is effortless and outcomes are achieved harmoniously, affiliative leadership is a style worth embracing.
Steps to cultivate affiliative leadership
Here are some actionable strategies to help you develop this leadership style:
Smile more and make eye contact.
These small actions create warmth and connection, making it easier for others to engage with you.Ask curious questions and listen deeply.
When you take the time to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, you build trust and strengthen relationships.Take the initiative to start conversations.
Stepping out of your comfort zone and initiating dialogue with new people builds your confidence and expands your network.Practice communication—both listening and talking.
The more comfortable you are in conversations, the stronger your connections will be.Show appreciation.
Let others know how much you value them and their contributions. Recognition strengthens bonds and makes people feel seen.Collaborate to solve problems.
Involve others in the problem-solving process and focus on teamwork. Collaborative success brings teams closer together.
The benefits of affiliative leadership
The affiliative style isn’t just about making people feel good—it has a profound impact on the performance and culture of an organisation. Leaders who adopt this style create a sense of belonging that fosters loyalty, reduces conflict, and drives high performance.
By nurturing authentic relationships, affiliative leaders create a work environment where trust, collaboration, and satisfaction are the norm. The result? Teams that not only deliver results but do so with harmony and a shared sense of purpose.
Leaders who embody this style
One leader who exemplifies affiliative leadership is Gail Kelly, former CEO of Westpac. Known for her people-first approach, Kelly transformed the company by creating a strong sense of community and fostering connections across all levels of the organisation. Her emphasis on relationships and empathy made her a standout leader, especially in times of change.
A deeper look: how affiliative leadership affects team dynamics
Affiliative leadership doesn’t just improve morale—it transforms team dynamics. Teams led by affiliative leaders tend to show higher levels of psychological safety, which means individuals feel more comfortable taking risks, offering new ideas, and speaking openly. This environment of safety and connection enables teams to be more innovative and resilient in the face of challenges. When individuals know they’re supported, they’re more willing to push boundaries and think creatively.
Unlocking affiliative leadership with LSI
To truly cultivate affiliative leadership, the Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI) is an invaluable tool. LSI uses self-assessment and colleague feedback to help leaders identify their behavioural styles and understand how they can enhance their leadership approach.
This tool provides insights into how you build and manage relationships, helping you develop the affiliative skills needed to create a more connected, high-performing workplace.
If you’re ready to embrace affiliative leadership and foster an environment of collaboration and support, let’s have a discovery conversation about how LSI can support your leadership journey.