The 5 Types of Leadership Styles

"Siva, we recently promoted a manager into a Leader. He is now managing a larger business, a bigger team with higher responsibilities. I could clearly sense his struggling to cope with this new leadership role. Can you help him...?" - asked a Senior Leader of a large tech organisation.

We onboarded the new leader into my Coaching Program - Accelerate 121. After a few initial sessions, I asked, "Can you share about the Leadership Style you follow?".

"Leadership Style...? What do you mean by that...?" came the answer.

I did a quick deep dive into Leadership Styles, and here is a summary of what we discussed.

As a leader understanding your own leadership style is critically important. Only when you know your leadership style can you lead your team better.

Usually, leaders adapt their styles based on their knowledge, mindsets and experience. A leadership style refers to how they direct, motivate and manage their teams. It also determines how leaders evolve their strategy, and way of working, respond to changes, and drive results.

As a leader, you should be able to categorise your current leadership style and evaluate if that makes you an effective leader. Here are some most commonly used leadership styles by leaders widely.

Five Most Common Leadership Styles

?? 1. Authoritative Leadership - this is the most commonly used leadership style by leaders more aligned with their power, position and authority. Authoritarian leadership emphasises the "I am great and follow me" approach. Leaders who adopt this style believe they are much better than anyone else and know everything.

Authoritative leaders provide directions and vision, give plans and motivate people to work. They often take a higher stand and escape being blamed for failures.

Authoritative leaders will never delegate and hold all the power of decision-making. They seldom listen to the other's advice and viewpoints.

The authoritative leadership style works well in hierarchical organisations like the military, police, government etc. Micromanaging is a tendency with this style, which can be overbearing for team members and create negative sentiments.

?? 2. Transactional Leadership - this leadership style focuses more on the action items, processes, rewards and punishments. They expect their followers to obey their instructions and commands strictly.

Transactional leaders are more aligned to rules, regulations and guidelines. They could never imagine themselves thinking out of the box. Teams managed by these leaders will never have any scope for creativity.

Transactional leaders are keen on execution and getting things done. They are very good at setting standards, building operating procedures, increase efficiency and productivity.

?? 3. Delegative Leadership - this leadership style is often the least intrusive form of leadership. These leaders don't bother much about anything and let their team members do all the work.

Delegative leaders will never micromanage or get too involved in providing instructions, feedback or guidance. All they would need is to get the results on time.

The delegative leadership style works well only when the team members of competitive and self-driven. Newcomers to the team will have difficulty adapting to this leadership style and will soon fail without any guidance and mentoring.

?? 4. Participative Leadership - this leadership style is considered the most democratic. These leaders listen to their team and involve them in the decision-making process.

Participative leaders are good at building a cohesive team that works diligently for larger organisational goals. They encourage collaboration, teamwork and accountability in all their team members. People would love to work under participative leaders.

?? 5. Transformative Leadership - this leadership style is the most preferred in these times of dynamic changes and uncertainties. These leaders use their ability to see the big picture, effective communication and focus.

Transformative leaders create unity, develop bonds, generate energy and instil passion in team members. They will be able to bring about any significant change and quickly face challenges in the organisation.

These leaders are highly future-focused. They are good at identifying talents and leveraging their people's strengths to get things done.

Ultimately as a leader you will end up in adapting to one or more styles that suit your personality, business requirements, organisational culture etc. Irrespective of whichever styly you adapt, it is essential for you to understand these common leadership styles better.

You will become a better leader.

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