6 Leadership Styles in Business and Politics: Real-world Examples

Effective leadership plays a vital role in both business and politics. Different leadership styles are utilized to inspire, motivate, and guide teams toward achieving goals. In this article, I will explore six leadership styles: Corrective, Authoritative, Affiliative, Democratic, Pace-setting, and Coaching.

Through real-world examples, I will examine how these styles have been applied in various business and political scenarios.

1. The Corrective Style: focuses on identifying and rectifying mistakes or performance issues. It involves providing feedback, setting high standards, and actively monitoring progress.

This style is exemplified in the following cases:

Business: A CEO identifies a decline in customer satisfaction and promptly addresses the issue. They conduct customer surveys, analyze feedback, and implement corrective measures such as training employees on customer service skills, resulting in an improved customer experience.

Politics: A political leader identifies corruption within their administration and takes decisive action. They initiate an internal investigation, hold individuals accountable, and implement stricter regulations to prevent future occurrences, thereby restoring public trust.

2. The Authoritative Style: involves leaders who provide a clear vision, make independent decisions, and offer guidance to their teams. They inspire trust and confidence through their expertise and strategic direction.

Business: Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., demonstrated the Authoritative Style by setting a visionary direction for the company. He made critical decisions, such as launching revolutionary products like the iPhone and iPad, which transformed Apple into a global tech giant.

Politics: Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, exhibited the Authoritative Style during his presidency. He provided a clear vision of a united, non-racial democracy and made bold decisions to dismantle apartheid, promoting reconciliation and national healing.

3. The Affiliative Style: emphasizes building strong relationships, fostering harmony, and promoting teamwork. Leaders employing this style prioritize the well-being of their team members and create a positive work environment.

Business: Tony Hsieh, the late CEO of Zappos, was known for his emphasis on creating a positive company culture. He encouraged open communication, employee well-being initiatives, and team-building activities, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees.

Politics: Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, embodies the Affiliative Style by emphasizing empathy and inclusivity in her leadership. She has shown compassion during crises, such as the Christchurch mosque shootings, by offering support to affected communities and promoting unity in the face of adversity.

4. The Democratic Style: involves leaders who seek input from team members, encourage participation, and make decisions through a collaborative process. Real-world examples include:

Business: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, practiced the Democratic Style by fostering a culture of open dialogue and collaboration. She encouraged employees to contribute ideas, sought diverse perspectives, and made decisions through consensus-building, resulting in a more inclusive and innovative organization.

Politics: Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, employs the Democratic Style by engaging citizens in decision-making processes. He has introduced town hall meetings, online consultations, and participatory platforms to involve Canadians in policy discussions, ensuring a more inclusive and responsive government.

5. The Pacesetting Style: involves leaders who set high-performance standards for themselves and their teams. They lead by example, expecting others to meet or exceed their level of achievement. Real-world examples include:

Business: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, exhibits the Pacesetting Style by continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation. His relentless pursuit of technological advancements and ambitious goals inspires employees to strive for excellence and achieve groundbreaking results.

Politics: Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, showcased the Pacesetting Style by setting high standards for economic and environmental policies. Her commitment to renewable energy and financial stability set an example for other countries, driving global efforts toward sustainability and economic growth.

6. The Coaching Style: involves leaders who provide guidance, mentorship, and development opportunities to their team members. They focus on individual growth, unlocking potential, and nurturing talent. Real-world examples include:

Business: Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, exemplifies the Coaching Style through his dedication to mentoring and empowering others. He actively supports educational initiatives, provides guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs, and invests in the development of future leaders in the technology industry.

Politics: Angela Merkel, mentioned earlier, also embodies the Coaching Style by nurturing political talent within her party. She has mentored and groomed several prominent politicians, fostering a culture of continuous learning and ensuring a pipeline of capable leaders for the future.

Leadership styles play a crucial role in shaping the success of organizations and governments. By understanding and adapting these styles, leaders can effectively navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and achieve remarkable results. Whether it's the Corrective Style, the Authoritative Style, the Affiliative Style, the Democratic Style, the Pacesetting Style, or the Coaching Style, each has its unique application in the dynamic worlds of business and politics.