Every individual is unique, and their leadership style reflects that individuality. But what exactly is leadership style? Simply put, it’s the distinct way leaders, executives approach decision-making, team management, and business operations.
Simply mimicking someone else’s approach won’t necessarily yield the best results, as it lacks the genuine connection to your own identity and values. Your leadership style is an extension of who you are, shaping how you interact with your team and other stakeholders. When your style aligns with your true self, it fosters trust and reduces confusion, helping those around you feel more confident and less frustrated.
Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept. To discover the style that best suits you, it is essential to first understand yourself.
One effective way to begin this journey is by taking a self-assessment test, which can offer valuable insights into your personality and natural tendencies. Self-assessment tools like DISC assessment, and Emotional Intelligence (EI) tests, Hogan assessment etc., can provide structured insights into your personality traits and leadership style. These tools help highlight how you process information, communicate, and engage with others.
After having understood your strengths and weakness you can work out the best leadership style for yourself. Let’s now explore common leadership styles being practiced by various leaders that might resonate well with your personality as well.
Transformational Leadership – In contrast to traditional management, transformational leadership inspires a sense of purpose and fosters deep commitment within the team. Leaders embracing this style cultivate an environment that supports both personal and professional development, empowering team members to take initiative, think creatively, and contribute significantly to organizational objectives. However, this approach can have challenges, such as unresolved conflicts due to minimal leadership intervention and ambiguity surrounding roles and responsibilities.
Autocratic Leadership – This style requires full control over decision making by the leaders. Decisions are made unilaterally, with communication flowing from the top down and little room for input or discussion. This approach sets clear expectations, well-defined roles, and a structured workflow. It can be effective for quick decision-making and in environments requiring high control. However, it can also lead to lower employee morale, reduced creativity, and disengagement, as team members may feel their input is undervalued.
Democratic Leadership – Here leaders encourage team members to participate in decision-making and share their ideas. This approach fosters collaboration, open communication, and a sense of ownership among team members. Leaders act as facilitators, guiding discussions and incorporating input before making final decisions. While highly effective in creative and problem-solving contexts, this approach may fall short in situations requiring swift action or in rigidly structured environments, as the decision-making process can be slower.
Bureaucratic Leadership – Characterized by a strong emphasis on rules, policies, and established processes, this leadership style values structure, hierarchy, and clearly defined roles to ensure consistency and efficiency. It is particularly effective in environments where precision and compliance are critical, such as government institutions or highly regulated industries. However, its rigid focus on rules can sometimes hinder flexibility and creativity, potentially stifling innovation and adaptability.
Coaching Leadership – Last but not the least, coaching approach focuses on developing team members through guidance, support, and constructive feedback. Leaders mentor individuals, helping them identify strengths, improve skills, and achieve personal and professional growth. This style encourages a learning mindset, goal-setting, and collaboration, fostering trust and motivation. While it can boost engagement and performance, it can be time-consuming and may require balancing with other leadership duties.
While you may see reflections of your personality in the various categories outlined above; leadership styles are not set in stone. You may naturally favor one style, or the dynamics of your workplace may make a particular approach more effective.
If you find yourself facing challengesin your leadership journey, executive coaching can provide valuable support. Click Here to book your complimentary breakthrough session today to unlock your potential and explore new possibilities.