Leadership Styles: Which Type of Leader are You?

“A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realising that all along that they are being directed from behind.”- Nelson Mandela

Be it at your workplace or any difficult situation in your life, you must have come across the hidden leader in yourself. There are different types of leaders who possess a variety of leadership qualities which makes them distinct in their nature. Some leaders believe in the theories of their own, while some like to consider others’ perspectives while taking a decision. Let us go through this blog and understand various types of leadership styles. 

Autocratic Leadership Style

Out of all the leadership styles, this one is commonly observed amongst leaders. In this style, the entire leading authority is given to only one individual. Being a one-dimensional approach, the decisions are taken by the leader without considering the views or involving the team members or colleagues in any manner. The leader takes all the necessary decisions which are further communicated to the team members. 

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Coaching Leadership Style

We often encounter this style of leadership in learning environments or educational institutions like schools, tuition centres, academies etc. It is one of the most effective leadership styles as it corresponds to a distinctive approach focused on partnership and collaboration. Using this style of leadership, the leader is more of a guide and mentor for the team or group they are heading. Teachers, Instructors or coaches which train or supervise students usually implement this approach but it can be implemented in any environment which demands the leader to focus on increasing the performance of the team, boosting their confidence etc.

Democratic Leadership Style

Democratic leaders, also known as participative leaders, are team players and they neither enforce their decisions nor refrain from taking the lead when required. Amongst all the leadership styles, executives having these leadership qualities are known to climb up the corporate ladder quickly. Team leaders with such skills bring out the best from their teams and are able to facilitate fluent communication between their team members. Individuals possessing such skills are seen actively participating in group tasks comprising critical decision making.

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Transformational Leadership Style

Transformation Leaders utilise the power of effective communication to head their teams and achieve bigger targets. Referred to as the most desirable leadership style, transformational leadership requires an individual to initiate change in their own selves and then influence the entire organization which results in the accomplishment of organizational goals. It has also been observed that those who exhibit such qualities usually set challenging expectations to achieve.

Strategic Leadership Style 

You must have encountered people who can easily persuade others with strategic influence, hence, making them complete their desired tasks voluntarily. Using this leadership style, potential leaders showcase their meaningful vision amongst their colleagues with the help of appropriate strategies and tools. By adopting this style, you can strive towards becoming a trained professional who is well equipped to handle the unforeseen risks. 

Laissez-faire Leadership

Laissez-faire is a French word which means “Let it be”. In our list of common leadership styles, this one deserves an important mention as it was preached by Mahatma Gandhi. In this leadership style, the leaders bifurcate all the responsibilities to the team members and do not intervene in their tasks. This style holds the potentials of motivating every individual in the team to give their best. The leaders who practice this style, often believe that one can showcase their brilliance when they are encouraged to do things on their own. 

Charismatic Leadership

Some people are born with an innate charisma with which they can effectively handle a team and encourage everyone to achieve the required goals. With a charismatic leadership style, such leaders are well-versed with making the optimal utilization of the opportunities. This approach requires one to have extraordinary communication skills as well as involves an appealing sense of style, flair and confidence. As compared to other leadership styles, this one is practised less as the failure or success of the organisation depends on the impact of the leader.

Hopefully, this blog about various leadership styles has helped you understand which type of leadership qualities you possess and how you can become a better leader. Are you sceptical about career choices? Sign up for an e-meeting with our experts at Leverage Edu and we will assist you in finding the right career path that fits your interests, aspirations and preferences!