Transforming?Underperforming Teams: Six Leadership Styles Worth Knowing

Let’s face it, being a leader is not for the faint hearted. It is much harder than it looks and leading a team that is underperforming can challenge even the most effective leaders. Underperforming teams create high turnover, lower morale and generate inconsistency in quality and uncertainty in the work environment. So how do you inspire and motivate action in others with your leadership style? Below are six common leadership styles to assist in directing and motivating others to achieve individual and team goals. 

1. The Changer

This leadership style is known for their enthusiasm and their drive to achieve success. They like a fast pace environment and expect their team to keep up. They are big picture thinkers and focus on solutions and results. The changer is competent at overcoming opposition and they actively embrace change and challenges in their work. They are highly visible and spend a lot of time communicating. This leadership style has well developed social skills and can develop rapport and relationships easily. They are great at idea generation and in influencing and leading change.

2. The Participator

The Participator style prefers a more supportive and cooperative leadership approach that is centred around the team and working together. They create an enjoyable, fun work environment with the focus on the people aspect of business. The Participator takes a democratic approach by encouraging and relying on the team abilities, knowledge and feedback to make decisions. They build strong team morale with a shared commitment to goal achievement. The Participator ensures individuals feel valued and heard, with creative teams responding well to this style. Staff retention is usually increased as team members have the opportunity to be actively involved in determining the future success of the business.

3. The Planner

The Planner is a leader that is organised, considered, cautious and structured. They approach their work with care and will plan for contingencies. They generally operate in known areas where accuracy and precision are valued. The Planner respects processes and systems to provide structure and guidance, and they expect team members to follow these systems and work in a methodical way. They are determined to do things the right way and will make decisions based on logic, research, past experience and facts. The Planner is well prepared and will exhibit a reserved and calm exterior.

4. The Power Centred Leader

The Power Centred leader represents authority to their followers. They expect employees to

comply and follow the rules, and these rules tend to be documented and clearly communicated. They prefer a highly structured approach to work and will lead their group through tasks. They have high standards and this is evident in how they communicate their expectations, assign accountability and establish deadlines. Hierarchy is important and they work best when they are able to make decisions on their own. This style of leadership is effective when under pressure, when there is a sense of urgency and in crisis situations, where quick decision making and authority is required.

5. The Friendly and Accurate Leader

This leadership style creates a friendly team environment because they value relationships and developing individuals. Building the teams knowledge is important for this leadership style and they will invest their energy and time in explaining the importance of rules and standards as they build harmonious relationships. They are effective when they can assist others to advance their skills, experience, confidence and knowledge whilst having an emphasis on accuracy, quality and compliance. The Friendly and Accurate Leader approaches their work in a systematic manner, they enjoy teaching others and being part of the team.

6. The Demanding and Systematic Leader

The Demanding and Systematic Leader appreciates structure and routine in their work environment and will therefore take a methodical approach in their planning and decision making. They are organised and focused on achieving their goals and will hold team members accountable. They prefer having control over situations to avoid unwelcome surprises. The Demanding and Systematic Leader is hard-working, diligent and industrious. They value fairness and will balance their competitive drive for results, with their desire to provide a supportive team environment.

Which styles resonate most in leading your team? Do you know individual motivators, communication styles, how they make decisions, and what role they each play in your team? Download my FREE 46-page Team Analysis Report that illustrates how teams work together and what their natural and adjusted behavioural style is to enable you to effectively lead.

Carla Egan is a professional coach, trainer and human behavioural profiler and combines her 26-year management experience to assist individuals, teams and organisations with their leadership, sales, recruitment, and change management requirements.