6 Leadership Styles for Success
Being an effective leader begins with finding the right fit for you as well as the culture of your business or organisation. So it's important to know the different styles - and when you may need to switch.
Your leadership style will affect how you connect with your team when you execute on plans, work to resolve conflicts, celebrate wins and more. It can have a huge impact on your relationships with staff - as well as the results that your team delivers.
But what does it take to be able to conduct business in a manner which truly inspires and cultivates respect?
For teams to be compelled to accomplish more and create an ongoing legacy – that takes great leadership. Great leaders are always driven by a purpose that is meaningful to them. A cause which they’re so passionate about, that it elevates their efforts to a higher level. For them, their work is more than just a job.
Below are 6 leadership styles, to consider which resonate with you the most.
6 Common Leadership Styles
Most leaders fall into one of these 6 types of leadership styles:
DEMOCRATIC, VISIONARY, COACHING, AFFILIATIVE, PACESETTING & COMMANDING.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE
Democratic leaders place high value on the diverse skills, qualities and knowledge of their team. They tap into the collective wisdom of the group, and take other opinions on board. Of all the different leadership styles, democratic leaders are the most collaborative and effective at long-term planning. However, this style can be more time-consuming than others. It’s beneficial to know where your team stands on issues, but when urgent decisions are needed, sometimes you need to make a call with less input.
AFFILIATE LEADERSHIP STYLE
Affiliate leadership is one of the best styles where a sense of trust is paramount, as it puts the team first. Their focus is on building trust and bonds within the group to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty. This can be very useful in situations where the trust in leadership has previously been broken.
Affiliate leaders are very effective in challenging times or when group morale is low. However, when it comes to decision-making, you also need to be mindful of the company’s bottom line.
COACHING LEADERSHIP STYLE
The coaching leadership style focuses on guiding rather than instructing. If you’re this type of leader, you can lift your team to great heights by forming deeper connections. It allows you to get a more thorough understanding of an individual’s hopes, beliefs, dreams and values. This coaching style cultivates a positive environment. In realms such as professional sports, it encourages every member to be cognisant of their personal value within the team.
In the right environment, this is one of the more effective leadership styles. However, it can be time intensive because coaching leaders spend a great deal of time and energy on individuals. It can also run the risk of making people feel micromanaged, so there is a need for balance.
PACESETTING LEADERSHIP STYLE
Pacesetting leadership is a good choice for groups of self-motivated, high-performers who are dedicated to improvement. Known for being decisive in taking action, pacesetting leaders set high standards for themselves. They’re often skilled at inspiring others to follow their example.
Of the six types of leadership styles, this one relies the most on autonomy, so it doesn’t suit teams that require a lot of guidance. Pacesetting leadership can also create an environment in which some individuals may feel they’re being pushed too hard by unreasonable standards. For this reason, it’s important to regularly get a read on the group sentiment.
COMMANDING LEADERSHIP STYLE
Commanding leadership can most often be found in top-down organisations, such as the government, law enforcement and the military. Considered a more outdated approach in business, it adopts the attitude of “do as I say because I’m the boss”. These leaders give directives and expect others to follow orders without question.
This type of leadership can be effective in times of crisis when quick decisions need to be made, however long-term it can leave group members feeling undervalued. This eventually erodes morale and job satisfaction, so commanding leadership is best reserved for specific scenarios.
Combining Leadership Styles
Remember you can always switch styles when the situation calls for it - there's really no ‘right’ or ‘one-size-fits-all’ leadership style. The world needs a mix of leadership styles to suit different groups and situations. As a result, sometimes a problem is best solved by combining styles for different groups of people, or different phases within a plan.
Exploring the types of leadership styles is an important first step in developing your skills, and in determining how to lead your company effectively. When you consider the best style for a given situation, be mindful of how it affects your organisational goals – and how it aligns with your overriding purpose.
For more ways to further your leadership and self-development, check out the SR Australia Events page.
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