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Discover your leadership voice: Exploring leadership styles

 





Have you wondered about your natural leadership tendencies? Do you think there is one style that is right for every team? The natural assumption is that there is one leadership style that will work for every occasion. Last week we explored what leadership is and debunked some myths, this week we tackle another common misconception: that one leadership style fits all! We are going to delve into some of the popular leadership styles and look at the pros and cons of them. Understanding your natural style is fundamental to developing a leadership approach that delivers the right results.

Exploring different styles

Just like people have different personalities and needs leaders can adopt several different styles of leadership. These are some of them, there are many different styles and a lot of leadership resources attempt to create new styles. Recognising these styles will help you to identify your own strengths and the approaches of others as you reflect on leadership.

  • ·       Autocratic leadership: This style involves the leader making all the decisions with no or little consultation with others. While it can be effective in urgent situations where crisis management dictates rapid decisions, it is less effective long term. If overused it will stifle creativity and innovation in teams.
  • ·       Democratic leadership: These leaders will involve the team members in the decision making process. The team input is valued and listened to before decisions are made fostering a sense of collaboration and ownership. This style can lead to better engagement but it can slow down decision making.
  • ·       Laissez-Faire leadership: This style is characterised by empowerment and delegation. The leader gives the team a lot of freedom and autonomy in how they achieve their goals. The decision making authority is delegated to the team as much as possible. This style can be effective with high performing teams, however it can lead to a lack of coordination and confusion if there is a lack of clarity over direction.  
  • ·       Transformational leadership: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their teams by empowering them, building trust, and creating a supportive environment. This style often focuses on coaching and personal development leading to strong teamworking; however, resources need to be invested to achieve success.

What’s your style?

As you have read about these styles you may have recognised some of your own tenancies or those of leaders you have worked with. It is important to know that everyone has a dominant or preferred style they might lean towards, but this does not stop you from adopting other styles as needed.

There is rarely a single style that is best for a situation, it is a useful skill to be able to vary leadership style when needed.

 

Tips for this week

This week take some time to think about your leadership style, what is your natural go to when leading others at work or when you have to achieve a task in your personal life? Is your style always working with you or do you think a different approach might help you? Consider:

·       How often do you include others in decision making?

·       When you collaborate with others who is in charge and who speaks the most in your meetings?

·       How do you communicate your goals and expectations to your team?

·       What motivates you most and what motivates the people around you?

·       What environment do you want to create for your team?

Consider adopting a different leadership style at some point this week to see what happens to the team dynamics. Find an approach that you think will be beneficial to your circumstances and give it a go, ask for feedback from others on how things are going if you can.

 

Coming up next week we will have a deep dive into setting expectations and have clear communication with your team.

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