7 Leadership Styles

A leader is one that provides inspiration, direction, and guidance. A good leader exhibits confidence, courage, passion, commitment, and ambition. They foster and support their people’s strengths and talents and build teams committed to achieving common goals.

They can effectively lead, motivate, and direct a group of people in whatever field – business, sport, or politics. Leading requires a very complex set of skills, mostly acquired through experiences, self-development, and access to subsequent training.

Styles of Leadership

The seven primary leadership styles are:

1. Autocratic Style.”Do as I say.” The authoritarian leader makes all the decisions without input from others
2. Authoritative Style. “Follow me.” They explain and present what is expected to engage and invigorate the others to choose and work on attaining a common goal.
3. Pacesetting Style.” Do as I do.” They set the example and push others to do the same.
4. Democratic Style. They ask, ” What do you think?” They are open to discussion before making the final decision.
5. Coaching Style. They want to unlock people’s potential, so they approach by saying, “Consider this.”
6. Affiliative Style. They believe, “People come first. It supports collaboration, and the leader has a personal relationship with others.
7. Laissez-Faire Style. This offers free rein and trust that people know what to do.

In Summary

Different scenarios call for different leadership styles, and as a great leader, you try to utilize the best style that a situation needs. You are confident and understand the different styles, and know when to use them. A great leader adapts his style to the current circumstances. You are cognizant of when to combine and integrate different leadership styles according to the people and situation.

Leadership is a lifetime pursuit. Along with personal and professional development, there is always room for improvement, learning new skills, new ways to strengthen your management, and new techniques that can help you practice your leadership skills.

As The Saying Of John F. Kennedy goes, “Leadership And Learning Are Indispensable To Each Other.”