What Leadership Style Works Best For Your Team?

Do you know what leadership style works best for your team as a manager or executive?

There is much discussion about which leadership style is the best, but I don't see it this way. Leadership style is about situation and person, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

According to the Merriam-Websters dictionary, a leader is a person that leads as:

• a guide
• a commander
• a conductor
• a person in charge or control: Boss, Chief

You will often have a preferred and most natural leadership style.

But, to be a successful team leader, you must switch styles based on the individual and situation.

What leadership style to use with whom and when?

The four main leadership styles are Autocratic, Benevolent, Democratic and Laissez-fare. Each of these styles has its strengths and weaknesses.

Autocratic leadership:??

• This style involves the leader giving commands and directives to engage a person in action.
• 15% of people typically prefer an autocratic style.
• Use it for writing procedures, clear directions and activities that need quick decisions.
• Engage new team members who require explicit instruction until they develop a skill.
• The negative impact is it discourages self-motivation and group interaction.

Benevolant leadership:

• This style involves the leader fostering a sense of belonging by ensuring people feel good.
• 30% of people appreciate this style of leadership.
• Use this style to build harmony and relationships in the work team.
• The negative impact is that it can delay decision-making and the forward movement of a project or situation.

Democratic leadership:??

• This style involves the leader encouraging interaction, feedback and independent thinking.
• 35% of employees appreciate this style of leadership.
• It is influential in developing new solutions, ideas and problem-solving across a team.
• You can use it with an experienced group to achieve a common goal.
• This style is ineffective for employees who lack knowledge or skills and require more direction.

Laissez-Faire Leadership

• This style involves the leader encouraging others to take on as much responsibility as possible with little direction.
• 20% of people respond best to this style of leadership.
• It allows for freedom and creativity to execute solutions to a problem.
• You can use it with experienced senior team members and those with a more spontaneous nature.
• This style is ineffective for employees who prefer more structure or are new to a role.

Now that you have reviewed each style, I invite you to answer each of these questions:

1. ?What is my most natural leadership style?
2. Create a list of each team member, and define the best technique for them.
3. Each day, consider what situations you are leading and what leadership style would work best.

The more you can learn to engage all leadership styles, the more impact and influence you will have on your organization as a manager.

Post a comment/question below on how you change leadership styles.

BTW: Would you like to improve your impact and influence as a manager or executive with your team? If so, then I'd love to chat with you. Feel free to schedule yourself into my calendar at this link. Let's Chat Link