Define your Leadership Style
Define Your Leadership Style
Effective Leaders recognise that everything they do (and fail to do) goes to form an impression of their leadership style in the minds of the team.
If you are a leader, then ask yourself: "What impression do I want to leave in the minds of my team members?", and then act accordingly.
Before you make your mark on your team, decide what kind of mark you want to leave. An effective leadership style is not the product of luck; but rather the result of an intelligent design.
When designing your leadership style, you have options from which to choose:
- Directive or Consultative decision-making style.
- Logical or emotional relationship style
- Positive or negative motivational style.
Directive or Consultative decision-making style.
Directive style leadership tells people what to do, and how to do it. They are the ship's captain and every decision is decided by the "Captain". This style is the traditional view of the strong leader, but it has inherent weaknesses, because only one brain is being utilised to its fullest, and all the others are not.
Consultative leadership style asks people what they think we should do and how we should do it. This is "leadership by committee" and it is a common approach. It has the advantage of accessing a wider set of opinions which may be a strength, but it could be indecisive and slow to react.
Or you could have a mixture of the two styles.
Logical or emotional relationship style.
A logical style is willing to subordinate people's feelings to achieve the team goal. Leaders of this type are focused on achieving targets, and they do it sometimes at the expense of team morale.
An emotional style is willing to subordinate the achievement of goals to people's feelings, since they see that morale is a primary factor to be maintained at all costs.
You need to decide your leadership priorities. Does "task" outrank "morale", or the other way around?
Positive or negative motivational style.
Some leaders motivate their staff by means of fear and anger; (do it or I will get angry!).
This management style is typical of the military Sergeant Major. It works, but is it the best way?
Other leaders motivate staff by means of inspiring positive emotions based upon achievement, trust and confidence. This method works and is more positive in its nature.
Most people respond best to positive motivators, but it is also a sad fact that some people don't move until they are forced to.
With these six options in mind, decide how you want your leadership style to be perceived and then, act accordingly.
Leadership and Management Training
Find out more about Leadership styles on our two-day Leadership and Management Training course.
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Leadership and Management
-
What skills do you need to be a leader?
Leaders have a set of skills and abilities which enables them to see a better future and work towards it. They are willing to adapt and change their plans and inspire others. How many of these ten leadership abilities do you have?
Read Article > -
Leadership Styles
Leadership styles There are many styles of leadership. But the important thing to recognise is that the concept of "leadership", itself, has its own distinctiveness and that "leadership styles" are minor variations on the major theme. It would be an error to focus too hard on the differing variations before you...
Read Article > -
Where can I find a good team leader training course?
Where can I find a good team leader training course? You may be looking for a good team leader training course. You yourself may be a team leader, or you may be searching on behalf of someone else. The reason for your search is that the role of team leader is...
Read Article > -
Habits of highly effective leaders
The habits of highly effective leaders We tend to be creatures of habit. Habits are automatized actions. We all tend to have habitual ways of doing things. Your habits allow you to do many complex things, without really thinking about them. Habits allow you to do things on "automatic pilot". You...
Read Article > -
The Power of Perception and Deduction in Leadership
In today's information-saturated world, finding truth is tough. Most of what we know comes from others, but they can be misled. Leaders must tackle info chaos by relying on their own perceptions and logical deductions.
Read Article >
Looking for Leadership and Management Training?
If you're looking to develop your Leadership and Management Skills, you may find this Leadership and Management Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 2 days, Online - Teams, places available