Leadership Styles: The 10 Most Common Type and How to Find Yours

Leadership Styles: The 10 Most Common Type and How to Find Yours 16-Dec-2024

In the context of organisational structure, leadership is nothing short of an art form as it blends the right mix of skillsets, personalities and methodologies to paint the full picture of a company's success. But it's important to remember that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s as unique as the individuals who embrace it.  
 

This blog explores the  most powerful Leadership Styles, unpacking their unique traits and helping you pinpoint the one that fits you best. So read on and ready yourself to lead with confidence and unwavering purpose! 

Table of Content 

1. What is a Leadership Style? 

2. Why is it Important to Know Your Leadership Style? 

3. Types of Leadership Styles 

4. How to Identify and Select the Best Leadership Style for Yourself? 

5. Conclusion 
    

What is a Leadership Style? 

A Leadership Style refers to a leader’s characteristics, methods, and behaviours when directing, motivating, and managing their teams. A leader’s style is shaped by various factors, including: 

1. Personality 

2. Values 

3. Skills 

4. Experiences 

These factors impact the effectiveness of their leadership. 

Additionally, a leadership style determines how leaders shape strategies, implement plans and respond to changes, all while managing stakeholder expectations and the team’s well-being. In many cases, leaders will express a broad range of Leadership Styles and will likely adapt to these styles depending on their situation. 

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Why is it Important to Know Your Leadership Style? 

Understanding Leadership Style is crucial to your success as a leader. When you understand your Leadership Style, you can find your strengths and define which skills you need to develop. Some leaders can already categorise their current Leadership Style, recognising whether it makes them effective or how their employees see them. But it's not always so defined. 

While leaders can usually categorise their style, they often exhibit traits of various other Leadership Styles. Detailed feedback is an easy way to know your Leadership Style; asking those you lead to provide open and honest feedback is a rewarding exercise. 

Types of Leadership Styles 

Now that we have explored what Leadership Style means and its importance, let’s go through the various Leadership Styles that drive diverse teams and organisations 
 

1. Transformational Leadership 

This Leadership Style emphasises change and transformation. Leaders who embrace this approach strive to inspire their followers to achieve more than their expectations. This leadership type can be extremely effective in organisations seeking significant changes or transformations.  

Some of the main characteristics of transformational leadership include: 

1. Focus on the Future: Transformational leaders always look ahead and consider  “What needs to be done to achieve the organisation’s goals.” 

2. Focus on Change: These leaders are comfortable with change and understand its necessity for organisational success. They work to ensure their followers are adaptable to change. 

3. Focus on People: Transformational leaders strive to develop their followers’ individual abilities and strengths so that they can reach their full potential. 
    

2. Transactional Leadership 

The leader-follower relationship is seen as a transaction in this style of leadership. In most situations, the transaction focuses on the follower completing their tasks in exchange for monetary compensation.  

One of the main benefits of this style is that it pinpoints clearly defined roles. People know what they must do and what they'll receive in exchange. This style allows leaders to offer much-needed supervision and direction. However, one of the biggest downsides is that it stifles creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. 
 

3. Authoritative Leadership 

Authoritative leaders are referred to as visionaries. This Leadership Style emphasises a “follow me” approach, charting a course and encouraging those around them to follow. Leaders with authoritative traits tend to inspire those around them and provide overall direction while promoting a sense of accomplishment. 

While authoritative leadership is very hands-on, leaders must be cautious to avoid micromanaging. This tendency within this Leadership Style can be overbearing for team members and generate negative sentiments. 
 

Leadership Style of Steve Jobs 

4. Participative Leadership (Democratic) 

Participative leadership, or democratic leadership, is generally the most effective Leadership Style. These leaders guide group members and participate in the group, allowing input and creativity from other members. Participative leaders actively involve group members in decision-making while maintaining the authority to make the final decision. 

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5. Strategic Leadership 

Strategic leaders function as the bridge between a company's primary operations and its growth opportunities. This Leadership Style requires competitive awareness, adaptability and vision. These leaders handle the burden of executive interests and ensure that working conditions are stable for everyone else. This leadership style can create an agile, forward-thinking, and adaptable organisation that can retain a competitive edge in today's dynamic business landscape. 
 

6. Delegative Leadership (Laissez-Faire) 

Delegative leaders offer very little guidance to a group and leave the decision-making up to group members. While this style can be helpful in situations involving highly qualified experts, it often results in a lack of motivation and poorly defined roles. This Leadership Style results in groups that lack direction and members who refuse to accept personal responsibility, blame each other for mistakes, make less progress, and are less productive. 

7. Situational Leadership 

Situational leaders specialise in changing their management style to align with the needs of the situation or team. Effective leaders must adapt their style of leadership to match their team members' readiness and development levels.  

This Leadership Style involves analysing specific situations, evaluating the commitment and competence of individuals, and adjusting the leadership approach accordingly. It's proactive and goes by the philosophy that change is the only constant. 

8. Servant Leadership 

This Leadership Style prioritises others' needs and emphasises building strong relationships with those around you. Being a leader requires understanding the people you are working with, nurturing their abilities, and setting a good example. 

At its core, servant leadership is all about ethical decision-making. If one follows this model, they are more likely to make decisions based on what's right for everyone rather than just benefitting a select few. This can improve communication between all involved parties—from Senior Management to front-line employees. 

9. Visionary Leadership 

This leadership style focuses on long-term goals. It encourages emotional intelligence, collaboration, and teamwork. Visionary leaders also inspire a culture of innovation and change, encouraging individuals to embrace new ideas. These leaders are persuasive communicators, which helps them energise teams toward impactful business growth.  

As the priority is on future growth, visionary leaders can predict potential roadblocks and outline action plans. This gives employees increased confidence during uncertain or challenging times. 

10. Coaching Leadership 

Also called conscious leadership, this Leadership Style focuses on identifying and nurturing each team member's strengths and developing strategies to enable teams to work better together. While this style is like strategic and democratic leadership, it emphasises individual employees' success. 

A Manager with this Leadership Style can help employees improve their strengths by: 

1. Giving them new tasks to try 

2. Offering guidance 

3. Meeting to discuss constructive feedback 
    

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How to Identify and Select the Best Leadership Style for Yourself? 

There are numerous ways to find a Leadership Style that works best for you. However, it can take time to figure out where to begin. If you are not sure what Leadership Styles will work for you, the following steps will show the way: 

1. Reflect on Your Strengths and Weaknesses 

Everyone has a unique path to self-discovery. Some take risks and try new things, while others prioritise writing exercises, quiet time, and listing strengths and weaknesses. Another way of learning about yourself is through physical activity and spending time with others. The path to self-discovery will lead you to a sense of authenticity. 

2. Define Your Core Values and Key Challenges 

Being a leader means working and making decisions with a sense of urgency, so having your values mapped out can be truly helpful. As you write out your values, pinpoint the pivotal moments in your life. Then, look for the people you're drawn to, trends, and common themes. If your list is long, you can group similar ideas together. An outline can help you see how you react and set a base for your core values. 

3. Observe and Learn From Respected Leaders 

Observing leaders you respect can help you define your Leadership Style. As you watch them in client conversations, meetings, and presentations, note down what you like. Another approach is to see their actions with specific Leadership Styles in mind, which will help you determine their approach and whether it'll work for you. But remember, developing your own Leadership Style is a must. 

4. Experiment With Various Leadership Styles 

A hands-on option is to try out varying Leadership Styles. You can create an outline of what piques your interest and review your notes before the next meeting to analyse how you can incorporate it into your interactions. 
 

Software Solutions That Support Leaders 

5. Seek Guidance From a Mentor or Business Coach 

Working with a business coach is another way to hone your Leadership Style. A mentor can be someone from your workplace that you respect and would appreciate feedback from, be it a respected colleague or another leader. 

6. Gather Feedback From Colleagues and Peers 

Another way to pinpoint the best style for your leadership needs is to ask other colleagues and team members for feedback. You can plan out what you to ask and why so you get the feedback you need. Focus on how people might respond and set clear guidelines and expectations. 

When you get the feedback, listen carefully because you will gain valuable information regarding your strengths and weaknesses that will help you pinpoint areas of improvement. 

7. Utilise Leadership Style Assessments 

Leadership assessments are brilliant tools for leaders, yourself as an individual, and teams. A leadership quiz can make the process of understanding your strengths and weaknesses easier to understand. It can surface habits and qualities you should be aware of and give you a clear direction for growth. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, discovering your Leadership Style involves self-awareness and growth. Every style brings unique strengths; understanding them helps you become an authentic leader. Whether you are a coach, a collaborator, or a visionary, embracing your unique approach can transform the way you empower others. It's about finding your fit, filtering your skills, and leading with a noble purpose. 

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