Why Leadership Style Truly Matters for Modern Employees

Imagine a workplace where leadership isn’t just a title but the very soul of the company—a space where people feel their voices matter, where they’re valued as individuals, and where leaders are committed to eradicating injustices, eliminating inequities, expanding diversity, and enhancing inclusion. This vision isn’t just aspirational; it’s the foundation for a thriving organization in today’s world. Leadership is about crafting experiences that inspire loyalty, spark creativity, and create purpose, and for every leader, whether born to it or rising by choice, there is an undeniable responsibility: how we lead impacts not only the team’s performance but also their sense of fairness, respect, and belonging.

Today’s employees want to work for leaders who do more than just set direction; they seek leaders who break down barriers, address inequities, and foster a culture where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. When we lead with the principles of J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) in mind, we create an environment where everyone can contribute fully. This choice—to lead with intentionality and purpose—shapes a workplace that not only achieves its goals but embodies the values that make work meaningful.

Your Leadership Style: A Choice, Not an Inheritance

Too often, leadership feels like a “default setting,” a hand-me-down style adopted from former managers or leaders. But imagine the power of realizing that leadership is actually a choice. We can actively decide the kind of environment we create for our people, the energy we bring, and the tone we set each day.

When we let go of outdated, unproductive styles we may have seen in the past, we allow ourselves to lead with purpose. This isn’t just an idea; it’s a practice—a daily commitment to making decisions that resonate with our values and our people. In a world that craves belonging and growth, the opportunity to choose how we lead becomes a defining element of the employee experience.

Every day, leaders have the choice to create a space that actively eradicates injustices, eliminates inequities, expands diversity, and enhances inclusion. When we commit to this kind of conscious leadership, we don’t just lead—we shape the future. A leadership style built on intentional choice rather than convenience is one that advances the goals of J.E.D.I., creating ripples that extend far beyond individual performance.

By consciously adapting our approach, we create a foundation where employees of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences can thrive equally.

Understanding Leadership Styles: The Shadow You Leave Behind

Every leadership style is more than a label; it’s a story. The way we choose to lead affects how our teams show up, engage, and grow. Here’s a look at some of the most common leadership styles, with a focus on their unique impacts in a modern workplace.

Autocratic Leadership: The Commanding Captain

• Pros: Autocratic leaders are decisive and directive, making quick calls that bring clarity in moments of crisis. Imagine a ship’s captain steering through a storm—when stakes are high, this style can feel steadying.
• Cons: For most modern employees, autocratic leadership can feel stifling and disempowering. Creativity suffers, and so does loyalty, as people feel voiceless and disconnected. Over time, this style creates an environment where employees may comply but rarely commit.
• Impact on J.E.D.I.: Autocratic leadership’s top-down structure may unintentionally reinforce power imbalances. This style rarely leaves room for diverse perspectives, making it challenging to address injustices or encourage open dialogue on equity. Over time, this can create an environment where employees feel excluded, unheard, or disempowered, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.

Democratic (Participative) Leadership: The Inclusive Visionary

• Pros: Democratic leaders invite input, building a culture of inclusion and respect. Imagine a leader who pauses in a meeting to actively solicit feedback, ensuring everyone feels seen and heard. This style cultivates a team of engaged contributors, ready to bring their best ideas forward.
• Cons: While inclusivity is powerful, the democratic approach can feel sluggish when swift action is needed. In high-stakes moments, excessive deliberation can create frustration, or worse, a lack of direction. Balancing inclusivity with decisiveness is essential to making this style sustainable.
• Impact on J.E.D.I.: Democratic leadership naturally supports diversity and inclusion by inviting diverse perspectives into the decision-making process. When team members feel included in discussions, it helps level power dynamics and build an equitable environment where each voice matters.

Transformational Leadership: The Inspiring Trailblazer

• Pros: Transformational leaders are visionaries, rallying their teams to go beyond what they thought possible. Picture a leader who helps the team envision a shared, inspiring future, sparking a sense of purpose that drives everyone to excel.
• Cons: This relentless pursuit of the extraordinary can sometimes overwhelm teams. Without clear boundaries, transformational leadership can lead to burnout, as the team pushes to meet high expectations without sufficient downtime or support.
• Impact on J.E.D.I.: Transformational leaders inspire change, which aligns well with the goals of J.E.D.I. By setting high standards for equity and pushing for growth, they can drive a cultural transformation where justice and inclusion are core priorities.

Transactional Leadership: The Pragmatic Director

• Pros: Transactional leaders thrive on structure, rewards, and clear expectations. Picture a workplace where goals are defined, processes are optimized, and good work is rewarded. In a well-structured environment, employees know what’s expected and feel motivated by incentives.
• Cons: While transactional leadership can create stability, it can also feel impersonal and mechanical. It leaves little room for creativity, making employees feel more like numbers than people. In today’s workplace, employees crave purpose as much as they value performance.
• Impact on J.E.D.I.: Transactional leadership, focused on clear expectations and rewards, can create a sense of fairness and stability. However, if overly rigid, this style may not leave enough room for the unique contributions and ideas that come from diverse voices.

Servant Leadership: The Empathetic Guide

• Pros: Servant leaders turn traditional hierarchy on its head, focusing on the growth and well-being of their team. Imagine a leader who walks into a room, listens deeply, and asks, “How can I help you succeed?” This style fosters trust and empowerment, creating a culture of belonging.
• Cons: Servant leadership, while deeply fulfilling, requires boundaries. Without a clear vision, focusing too much on individual needs can dilute direction. It’s a balancing act of supporting the team while still providing a firm sense of direction.
• Impact on J.E.D.I.: Servant leadership aligns powerfully with J.E.D.I. principles, as it places others’ well-being and growth at the forefront. This style fosters a culture where empathy, understanding, and support for each person’s journey are paramount. When a leader prioritizes the needs of their team, it creates a foundation of trust, especially for those who may have felt marginalized in previous workplaces.

Laissez-Faire Leadership: The Trusting Liberator

• Pros: Laissez-faire leaders provide autonomy, trusting their team to handle their work independently. This approach empowers employees to innovate, take ownership, and thrive in self-directed ways.
• Cons: While freedom is valuable, too much can lead to a sense of abandonment, with employees feeling unsupported or confused. Laissez-faire leadership works best with self-motivated, highly skilled teams who have clear expectations and access to guidance when they need it.
• Impact on J.E.D.I.: Laissez-faire leadership offers autonomy and freedom, which can create a sense of empowerment, especially for those who may have felt micromanaged or undervalued in other environments. However, this style can unintentionally neglect the need for structured support, leaving marginalized team members without guidance or advocacy.

Blending Leadership Styles: The Art of Intentional Adaptability

In the real world, few leaders use only one style. The most effective leaders are those who adapt, blending different styles as the situation demands. Think of a leader who is democratic when gathering ideas, transformational when setting the vision, and servant-minded in everyday interactions. This kind of adaptive, purposeful leadership creates a workplace that feels dynamic, intentional, and connected.

Today’s employees want more than a paycheck—they want purpose, connection, and trust. A blended approach, rooted in intentionality, is what allows leaders to create environments where people feel safe to be themselves, where they are motivated to contribute, and where they know their work matters.

An impactful leader understands that achieving justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion isn’t a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing commitment, woven into every interaction and decision. By blending leadership styles intentionally, leaders can foster a culture where every employee feels empowered, included, and treated equitably.

By integrating J.E.D.I. goals with daily leadership practices, leaders don’t just talk about inclusion; they live it.

Leading with Impact in Today’s World

As leaders, we hold the power to choose how we show up every day. In the end, leadership is about more than tactics; it’s about transformation—creating a space where our people can thrive, where work feels meaningful, and where everyone feels part of something bigger.

1. Choose Your Leadership Style with Purpose Every interaction is a chance to build or break trust. Take a moment to reflect: Are you leading in a way that aligns with your values and your team’s needs? Be intentional in how you lead. Your choices shape the experiences of those around you, and every day is a new opportunity to lift others.
2. Listen Deeply and Adapt Thoughtfully Don’t get trapped in one style. The best leaders adapt, shifting their approach to fit their team’s needs and the demands of each moment. Listen to your team, and don’t be afraid to adjust your style. Leadership is a journey, and each step forward builds trust and loyalty.
3. Create an Environment Where Everyone Belongs Leadership today is about more than goals; it’s about connection. Create a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered. Challenge yourself to lead in a way that brings out the best in others, to be a beacon of trust, respect, and inspiration.
4. Create Spaces for Unheard Voices Leaders have a powerful role in creating inclusive spaces. Actively seek out and elevate the voices that are often overlooked. Ensure that meetings, decision-making processes, and daily interactions reflect a commitment to inclusivity. Listen deeply, adapt thoughtfully, and create an environment where every voice feels safe, respected, and valued.
5. Hold Yourself and Others Accountable A commitment to J.E.D.I. values isn’t just about intention; it’s about accountability. Ensure that your actions and policies truly align with the goal of creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. Encourage your team to hold you accountable, and be open to feedback. This accountability doesn’t just support diversity—it builds trust and integrity into the fabric of your organization.
6. Be a Legacy-Maker Every leader leaves a legacy, whether they realize it or not. Be the kind of leader people remember for how you made them feel, for the courage you showed in choosing to lead differently. Leave a legacy that uplifts, inspires, and empowers—one that speaks to the best in all of us.

The Path Forward: Leading with Heart and Vision

Each day, as leaders, we hold a profound responsibility—and a powerful choice. We can choose to lead with intention, weaving justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into every decision, every conversation, and every opportunity. We can choose to be more than just leaders; we can be catalysts for change, guardians of fairness, and champions of every voice, no matter how quiet.

Manifest a reality where each person on your team feels seen, valued, and celebrated for who they truly are. Imagine walking into a room where diverse perspectives aren’t just tolerated—they’re treasured. This isn’t just the workplace of the future; it’s the legacy you have the power to create today.

As you move forward, commit to leading with purpose, with empathy, and with a relentless dedication to justice. Lead in a way that breaks down barriers, that lifts others higher, and that leaves a ripple of equity and inclusion that echoes long after you’re gone. Because leadership is more than a role—it’s a calling, and how you answer it shapes lives.

Make the choice to lead with courage. Make the choice to build a world where everyone belongs. And know that in doing so, you are not just leading—you are transforming the future.

Omar L. Harris is the managing partner at?Intent Consulting , a firm dedicated to improving employee experience and organizational performance and author of?Leader Board: The DNA of High-Performance Teams; The Servant Leader's Manifesto; Be a J.E.D.I. Leader, Not a Boss: Leadership in the Era of Corporate Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Leading Change: The 4 Keys; Hire the Right W.H.O.M.: Sourcing the Right Team DNA Every Time; and The J.E.D.I. Leader's Playbook: The Insider's Guide to Eradicating Injustices, Eliminating Inequities, Expanding Diversity, and Enhancing Inclusion ?available for purchase in ebook, print, and audio on?Amazon.com . Please follow him?Instagram ,?Twitter , and/or his?website ?for more information and engagement.