Leadership Styles vs. Leadership Principles: What’s Important for Effective Leadership?

In the evolving landscape of modern business, effective leadership remains a critical element for success. Chances are, if you are an aspiring or even existing leader you will have sat through some development course and taken a short survey to identify your leadership ‘style’. Some of you may have been surprised when, after answering just a few questions, you were attributed the leadership style of a micromanaging monkey, a delegating dinosaur or even an organisational otter. These are genuine ‘Leadership Styles’ I have seen attributed to workshop participants over the years. To condense the complexity of effective leadership into such simplistic explanations always bothered me. In fact, the sheer concept of identifying your leadership style in the formative part of your leadership journey doesn’t really make sense. Asking aspiring or emerging leaders to identify and apply a specific style to how they lead is setting them up for challenges further down the track. As they sit in their office frustrated and burned out, clinging to their crinkled up hand out of the ‘multitasking octopus’ outline from that leadership course, what good is it doing them or their teams? The world is dynamic and the people we lead are nuanced and complex, so doesn’t it make more sense for our leaders to be dynamic, nuanced and lead in a responsive way??

So, if not style, then how can we teach our new leaders how to lead? In my experience, leaders who make decisions based on values and lead through established and shared principles are often more successful and last longer in the leadership world. I am not saying style has nothing to do with leadership, it most certainly does but style should be dynamic and shaped over time through the development of strong values and principles, not something we embody after a short survey.

Understanding the difference and interplay between leadership styles and principles can significantly impact your effectiveness as a leader.?

Leadership Styles: The "How" of Leading

Leadership styles refer to the behaviours and strategies leaders use to motivate and manage their teams. Various models have been proposed over the years, each with its own set of characteristics and applications.

1. Transformational Leadership: Popularised by James MacGregor Burns, transformational leadership is characterised by the ability to inspire and motivate followers to exceed their own self-interests for the good of the organisation. Leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk are often cited as transformational leaders who have driven significant innovation and change.
2. Transactional Leadership: This style, described by Max Weber and Bernard Bass, focuses on the role of supervision, organisation, and group performance. Transactional leaders promote compliance through both rewards and punishments. It's particularly effective in structured environments where clear, short-term goals need to be achieved.
3. Servant Leadership: Coined by Robert K. Greenleaf, servant leadership emphasises the leader’s role as a caretaker who serves the needs of their team. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela are exemplars of this style, prioritising the well-being and development of their followers.
4. Situational Leadership: Developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, situational leadership suggests that no single leadership style is best. Instead, it depends on the situation at hand, and leaders must adapt their style to the maturity and competence of their followers.

Leadership Principles: The "Why" and "What" of Leading

While leadership styles focus on the methods of leading, leadership principles are the foundational beliefs and values that guide leaders' actions. These principles are often more enduring and universal than styles, providing a consistent framework for decision-making.

1. Integrity: Integrity is the cornerstone of effective leadership. It involves honesty, ethical behaviour, and a commitment to doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult. Research by Gallup shows that 85% of employees believe that integrity is the most important leadership principle.
2. Empathy: Understanding and being sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others is critical. Empathy fosters trust and open communication, essential for effective teamwork. According to a study by Catalyst, leaders who demonstrate empathy have 50% higher employee engagement.
3. Vision: A clear, compelling vision provides direction and inspiration. Leaders like Jeff Bezos have shown that a strong vision can galvanise an organisation and drive sustained success. Visionary leadership is about seeing the big picture and steering the organisation towards long-term goals.
4. Accountability: Holding oneself and others accountable is crucial for maintaining standards and achieving goals. Leaders who practise accountability foster a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement. Peter Bergman's 2020 Harvard Business Review article "How to Actually Encourage Employee Accountability" emphasises that accountability is directly linked to organisational performance.
5. Adaptability: In a rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt is essential. Leaders who embrace change and encourage innovation are better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern business environments. The World Economic Forum lists adaptability as one of the top skills needed in the 21st century in its 2023 ‘Future of Jobs’ report.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Styles and Principles

To be an effective leader, it’s not simply enough to adopt a specific style nor to solely and rigidly adhere to a set of principles. The most successful leaders integrate both, aligning their behaviours (styles) with their core beliefs (values & principles). Here’s how:

1. Aligning Vision with Style: Ensure that your leadership style supports and reinforces your vision. For example, a transformational leader’s vision should inspire and align with innovative strategies that motivate and engage the team. Employees should be encouraged to take risks in order to push the boundaries of achieving the vision.
2. Ethical Leadership: Whatever your style, it should be underpinned by strong ethical principles. This builds trust and credibility, which are essential for long-term success.
3. Empathy in Action: Apply empathetic principles through your chosen leadership style. Whether you are a servant leader or a situational leader, understanding and addressing the needs of your team is critical.
4. Adapting with Integrity: Adapt your leadership style to the situation while maintaining your core principles. This ensures that you remain flexible without compromising your ethical standards, but also letting go of ego and pride in acknowledging when mistakes are made.

Conclusion

In the intricate and ever-evolving world of leadership, it is the harmonious blend of dynamic styles and steadfast principles that paves the way for true effectiveness. Leaders who navigate their journey with this dual approach not only inspire and elevate their teams but also create resilient, adaptable organisations poised for long-term success. Embrace the complexity, honour your principles, and let your leadership style evolve over time with integrity and vision. For it is in this balance that extraordinary and lasting leadership is formed, not through that five minute survey.

I am passionate about helping leaders discover and develop their unique combination of styles and principles to maximise their impact. If this interests you, please reach out.?

References:

• Burns, J.M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row.
• Greenleaf, R.K. (1970). The Servant as Leader.
• Gallup (2021). State of the Global Workplace Report.
• Catalyst (2020). Empathy in Leadership: Perspective-Taking and Emotional Intelligence.
• World Economic Forum (2020). The Future of Jobs Report.
• Harvard Business Review (2019). The Power of Accountability in the Workplace.

For more insights and personalised coaching, visit Paul Cahill Coaching.

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