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.

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Definition: leadership style

In work, a leadership style is the way you guide others. It mixes how you decide, relate and drive, and it shows in your daily acts. Your team sees it and works by it. You can set the style you want and tune it as you grow, so pick well and live it every day.

Article Summary

Your leadership style paints a lasting picture in every mind you lead; pick the colours-directive or consultative, logical or emotional, positive or negative-then act with steady intent, because clear, chosen leadership drives trust, morale and results.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Did You Know: Key Statistics

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.

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