Most common leadership styles in management
Leadership is the process of leading a group of people toward a common goal. There are many different leadership styles, and the most effective leaders are able to adapt their style to the situation and the people they’re leading. In this article, we’ll explore the most common leadership styles in management. We’ll also give you some tips on how to identify the style that’s best for you and your team.
The autocratic leadership style
The autocratic style is the most traditional management approach. Leaders who follow this style make decisions on their own and expect others to follow their orders. Autocratic leaders don’t ask for input, allow debate, or encourage collaboration. Employees are expected to follow the leader’s instructions without question. Advantages of the autocratic leadership style include: The disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style include:
The democratic leadership style
Democratic leaders accept input from all employees and encourage collaboration. They welcome debate and feedback, and they value their employees’ opinions. Employees are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns and to share their ideas. The democratic leadership style is ideal for small businesses because it’s more hands-on and less reliant on structure. Advantages of the democratic leadership style include: Disadvantages of the democratic leadership style include:
The laissez-faire leadership style
The laissez-faire style is a hybrid of the autocratic and democratic styles. Leaders who adopt this approach make most of the decisions, but they also encourage their employees to contribute their ideas. Laissez-faire leaders do not, however, allow debate or input when it comes to the final decision.
Many organisations use laissez-faire leadership as a transitional style during times of change. Laissez-faire leaders are often described as “invisible” because They allow their employees to manage their departments autonomously. Advantages of the laissez-faire leadership style include: The disadvantages of the laissez-faire leadership style include:
The transformational leadership style
Transformational leaders inspire change and create a positive atmosphere within their department. They set a high standard for performance and show their employees what success looks like. Transformational leaders are also inspirational.
They use words and phrases that appeal to their employees’ emotions, such as “I believe in you” and “You have the power to succeed.” Transformational leaders inspire their employees to work harder and perform better. Advantages of the transformational leadership style include: The disadvantages of the transformational leadership style include:
The transactional leadership style is
Transactional leaders focus on the bottom line. They expect their employees to meet certain benchmarks and achieve specific goals. Employees are rewarded for good work and punished for poor work. Transactional leaders are not interested in their employees’ personal lives or well-being.
They do not seek input, do not encourage collaboration, and they rarely praise their employees. Many transactional leaders are found at the upper levels of government. Advantages of the transactional leadership style include: The disadvantages of the transactional leadership style include:
The situational leadership style
Situational leaders tailor their approach to meet the needs of their employees. They are flexible and willing to adopt a variety of styles depending on the situation. The situational leadership style is ideal for managers who work with a range of employees, including veterans, new hires, and people with different cultural backgrounds.
Managers who use a situational leadership style are good listeners and understand when to be hands-on and when to let their employees go off on their own. They are also able to identify and solve potential problems before they escalate. The advantages of the situational leadership style include: The disadvantages of the situational leadership style include:
Which leadership style is best for you?
When deciding which leadership style is best for you, think about your personality and the type of work you do. If you’re an extrovert, a transactional or transformational leadership style might work best. If you’re an introvert, a laissez-faire or situational leadership style might work best. If you want to move up in your career, you might want to consider adopting a different style.
If you’re a transactional leader, you might want to try something new. In many cases, you can blend two or more styles together. For example, if you use a laissez-faire approach in one area of your department and a transactional approach in another, you’re using a hybrid approach. If you want to adopt a different style, start by observing other leaders and the way they lead their teams. Then, try adopting one of the above styles and see if it fits you and your team.
