Effective leaders know and accept that they will be lonely at work.  They resist the strong temptation to be universally liked.  Effective leaders know…

• they must sometimes give people feedback they don’t want to hear
• they must sometimes go against the crowd and do what is right
• they must always hold themselves to a higher standard of behavior
• they must sometimes make tough choices which will leave people angry
• they must sometimes tell people “no”
• they must sometimes say unpopular things
• they must sometimes not tell a joke which is sure to get a laugh
• they must always stay out of the rumor and gossip business

If these things are done with fairness and respect for others, the high regard earned will more than offset the loneliness of being an effective leader.