Action-based leadership

During our lives and careers, we would have seen ourselves and those with whom we have worked closely evolve into different kinds of individuals with different leadership styles. If we think about ourselves also, we would have seen ourselves change in our leadership styles as we have progressed in our lives and careers. We would have also seen different people respond differently according to the situation or various other stimuli during different situations and different stimuli

Various studies have categorized leadership into seven different types mainly based on action logic.

1. Opportunist

The predominant feature of this leadership is to win at any cost. This type of action-based leadership works best is crisis and situations where things are out of control and where things need to be salvaged and often in very short period of time. The biggest drawback of this kind of leadership is that very few people want to follow such a type of leadership or leader who predominately only follows this type of leadership over a long period of time.

2. Diplomat

The predominant feature of this type of leadership is the ability to act as a glue to bind teams since this type of action ensures that various discontent that comes up gets managed and teams stay together. The challenge if only this type of leadership is followed always is that it then becomes difficult to provide painful feedback or to go ahead with harsh decisions that are needed at times.

3. Expert

This kind of leadership or leader comes to the fore when changes are happening where critical skills are needed to address that situation. This could be a new technology implementation or entry into a new geography or new product line or when an organization is changing scale and getting into its next phase of growth etc., where these kinds of expert skills are required.

4. Achiever

What segregates this kind of leadership from opportunist is that this type of leadership follows all actions that are needed for a manager balancing out the various needs and requirements, strengths and weaknesses of the team and its members. A challenge faced when we are only in the leadership mode of achiever all the time is that we forget to look at things from a wider perspective and hence miss out on opportunities which might be available outside the box.

5. Individualist

When leadership action very often follows unconventional ways and methods and very often ignores rules and processes which are not suitable for them then that type of leadership action is called individualistic. These kind of leadership actions are extremely successful when something new is being targeted like in a startup or a new product line or division in a existing organization.

6. Strategist

This type of leadership action combines the best of both worlds in an existing organization. While they will continue to challenge the existing norms and processes and look at better ways to do the things they will do so by being collaborative and hence tend to get a better buy in from the entire organization.

7. Alchemist

This type of leadership action is when someone through their action can radically bring about societal change. Perhaps the top names that come to mind are those of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. There are also several business leaders and leaders in smaller geographies and for specific causes who have brought about a similar change...

In the dynamic landscape of leadership, it is crucial to recognize that the most effective leaders are those who can use different leadership actions based on the requirements. They are also people who evolve continuously.

Rooke's research highlights that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept but rather a fluid spectrum, where the best leaders adapt their style based on the context and the challenges they face. By understanding the different action logics—Opportunist, Diplomat, Expert, Achiever, Individualist, Strategist, and Alchemist—leaders can better navigate the complexities of modern organizations, driving not just success but also sustainable growth.

Ultimately, the journey of leadership is one of self-awareness and transformation. Leaders who aspire to transcend beyond traditional methods must embrace the nuances of these action logics, fostering environments where innovation, collaboration, and ethical decision-making are at the forefront.

As Rooke's work suggests, the future of leadership lies in the hands of those willing to challenge their own perspectives, continuously learn, and adapt their approach to meet the ever-evolving demands of their teams and organizations. It is through this commitment to growth that leaders will not only achieve their goals but also inspire others to reach their full potential. To continue knowing more about what can be done to create the ability for using all the above highlighted types of leadership do subscribe to my LinkedIn page, Rejo's Business Bytes, or my website, rejofrancis.com

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