Leadership Style Approach

What is Leadership Style?

Leadership style is the way a person uses power to lead other people. Research has identified a variety of leadership styles based on the number of followers. The most appropriate leadership style depends on the function of the leader, the followers and the situation.(Asaecenter)

6 TYPES OF LEADERSHIP STYLES

DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE

A democratic leader is one who places high value on the diverse skills, qualities and knowledge base of their team. They will work to cultivate consensus within the group by consistently asking those around them, “What do you think?”and deeply listening to their answers. Doing so will tap into the collective wisdom the group has to offer in order to discover the next best step, and allow others to develop confidence in the leader.

 

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP STYLE

Visionary leaders are at their best when it comes to finding new directions and new potential solutions to a given problem. This type of leader relies on abstract thinking and is able to visualize possibilities that many others aren’t yet able to see.

COACHING LEADERSHIP STYLE

A coaching leader is one who spends a great deal of time and energy on the individuals in a given group. They will work on cultivating deep connections that allow for a more thorough understanding of an individual’s hopes, beliefs, dreams and values. One of the types of leadership styles that focuses on guiding rather than instructing, a coaching leader will direct others based on what influences their deepest desires, and cultivate a positive environment where encouragement and communication can flow freely.

                              

AFFILIATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE

Affiliative leadership focuses most intensely on building trust within the group and creating emotional bonds that will promote a sense of belonging to the organization. Affiliative leaders are particularly effective in times of stress or when group morale is low and are very successful at turning employees into raving fans of their companies. They have a knack for repairing broken trust in an organization, improving communication and fostering a sense of team harmony.

PACESETTING LEADERSHIP STYLE

A pacesetting leader is one who leads by doing. They set high standards for themselves in the hope that others will follow their example. This is a good choice for groups that consist of self-motivated, high-performing people who are dedicated to improvement, which is why it’s commonly found in the military.

COMMANDING LEADERSHIP STYLE

A commanding leader is the kind we most often see in movies and read about in books. They approach leadership with an attitude of “do as I say because I’m the boss,” giving directives and expecting others to follow orders without question. This is a very effective style in times of crisis when quick decisions need to be made.(Firewalker's guide of Leadership) 

CONCLUSION

The style approach to leadership emphasizes the behavior of the leader. It analyzes how leaders act in various situations.This leadership theory not only looks at the leader but also those being led and the environment in which the leadership occurs.

REFERENCES

     1)    Asaecentre  wisetoast.com

     2)    Tony Robins https://www.tonyrobbins.com/what-is-leadership/leadership-styles/

     3)    Firewalker’s guide of Leadership