Are you using an effective leadership style that works best for you and your team? Get an overview of seven common leadership styles and explore how to develop your signature style.
Table of Contents
1. Autocratic Style
The most illustrative phrase of an autocratic leadership style is “Do what I say.” Generally, an autocratic leader believes that he is the smartest person at the table and knows more than everyone else. They make all decisions with little input from team members.
This command and control approach is typical of past leadership styles, but it doesn’t carry much weight in today’s talent.
That is not to say that the style is not appropriate in certain situations. For example, an autocratic leadership style can be used when crucial decisions need to be made in the moment, and you have the best knowledge of the situation, or when you are dealing with inexperienced and new team members and there is no time to wait. familiarize team members with their role.
2. Style of Authority
The most indicative phrase for this leadership style (also known as “visionary”) is “Follow me.” The commanding leadership style is the mark of confident leaders who chart the path and set expectations, while attracting and energizing followers along the way.
In a climate of uncertainty, these leaders lift the fog for the people. They help them see where the company is going and what will happen when they get there.
Unlike autocratic leaders, leaders with authority take the time to explain their thinking: They don’t just give orders. Above all, they allow people to choose and have the freedom to achieve common goals.
3. Pacing Style
“Do what I do!” is the most indicative phrase of leaders who use the style of pacing. This style describes a very impulsive leader who sets the pace like in racing. Leaders set the bar high and push their team members to run hard and fast to the finish line.
While the leadership style of leaders is effective in getting things done and driving for results, it is a style that can hurt team members. For one thing, even the most motivated employees can get stressed out working under this leadership style in the long run.
An agile leadership style can be the ultimate leadership style needed to lead today’s talent.
Should I avoid pacing style altogether? Not so fast. If you are an energetic entrepreneur working with a like-minded team on the development and announcement of a new product or service, this style can serve you well. Though, this is not a style that can be sustained for the long term. A pace leader needs to let the air out of the tires from time to time to avoid causing team burnout.
4. Democratic Style
Democratic leaders are more probable to ask “What do you think?” They share material with employees about anything that affects their job responsibilities. They also seek employee opinions before approving a final decision.
There are numerous benefits to this participatory leadership style. It can build trust and promote team spirit and employee cooperation. It allows creativity and helps employees to grow and develop. A democratic leadership style makes people do what they want done, but in a way that they want to do it.
5. Coaching Style
When you have a training leadership style, you tend to have a “Consider This” approach. A leader who coaches sees people as a pool of talent to develop. The leader who uses a coaching approach seeks to unleash the potential of people.
Leaders who use a training style open their hearts and doors to people. They believe that everyone has control within themselves. A coaching leader gives people some direction to help them harness their ability to accomplish all that they are capable of.
6. Affiliate Style
A phrase often used to describe this type of leadership is “People come first.” Of all the leadership styles, the affiliative leadership approach is one in which the leader draws closer to the people. A leader who practices this style pays attention to and supports the emotional needs of team members. The leader strives to open a conduit that connects him to the team.
Ultimately, this style is about fostering harmony and the formation of collaborative relationships within teams. It is particularly useful, for example, to smooth out conflicts between team members or to reassure people in times of stress.
7. Laissez-Faire Style
The laissez-faire leadership chic is at the opposite extreme from the autocratic style. Of all the leadership styles, this is the one that involves the least supervision. You could say that the leader of the autocratic style stands firm as a rock on issues, while the leader of laissez-faire lets people swim with the flow.
On the surface, a laissez-faire front-runner may appear to trust people to know what to do, but taken to the extreme, an uninvolved leader may end up appearing distant. While it is beneficial to give people opportunities to spread their wings, with a total lack of direction, people can inadvertently drift in the wrong direction, away from critical organizational goals.
This style can work if you manage highly skilled and experienced employees who are enterprising and motivated. To be most real with this style, monitor team performance and regularly provide feedback.
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