The purpose of this article is to explain what leadership styles are and how they can be developed. We will explore the five leadership styles: authoritarian, democratic, laissez-faire (or free-range), commanding, and delegating. We'll also examine how leaders use these styles to motivate their employees. Finally, we'll tell you what your personal leadership style says about you—and how you can change it if it's not working for you or your team!
The five styles of leadership
Directive
Directive leadership involves giving the team clear instructions and providing them with a vision. This leadership style usually works well with new employees who need direction, but it may not be the most effective way to motivate your team if they're already experienced at their jobs.
Directive leaders can be perceived as bossy or condescending by their teams, and they don't always encourage participation or creativity from their subordinates, which could lead to a lack of engagement in the workplace overall.
What does your leadership style say about you
The way you lead will tell others a lot about who you are. For example, if someone is a laid-back leader, it means they're relaxed and easygoing. If someone is tough on the outside but has a soft heart, that person may be an effective leader because they can show compassion while being firm when necessary.
It's important to recognize what type of leader you are so that you can choose positions in which your strengths will come out naturally and help others around them develop as well as possible.
How to assess your style
To assess your leadership style, look at your past experiences. Ask your colleagues and subordinates what they think. You may also want to take a leadership assessment test online or in person with a coach or consultant specializing in helping people develop their styles. Finally, review the job description for your current position and compare it with how you behave as a manager: Do they match up?
If there are some discrepancies between what's written on paper and how you operate daily, that could indicate that something needs to change--but only if problems result from these differences!
Take inventory of how you lead.
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Take inventory of how you lead.
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List your strengths and weaknesses, work style, beliefs about leadership, and management style.
Don't limit yourself to one style.
It's important to note that there is no right or wrong leadership style; you can learn from each of these and adapt them to suit your needs. If you are stuck in a rut, it might be time for a change. Don't fear failure or rejection--those are just part of life! And if you need help with your new approach, don't be afraid to ask someone else for feedback on their leadership style either (we have a whole article about how that works).
There are many different kinds of leaders, and that's okay.
In the end, there are many different kinds of leaders, and that's okay. Each leadership style has its strengths and weaknesses. It's important to be self-aware of your leadership style so that you can work on improving it as well as understanding other people's styles.
If you're wondering what kind of leader you are right now, try taking the following quiz:
There are many different kinds of leaders, and that's okay. Your leadership style is unique to you and what works best for your organization. However, if you struggle with one type of leadership over another, try to seek out other styles or incorporate them into your approach. You may even discover something new about yourself along the way!
