The 6 Most Common Leadership Styles & How to Find Yours

Leadership isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. Just as every individual brings their unique personality to the table, effective leaders must discover and develop their own authentic leadership style. But with so many approaches to choose from, how do you know which one suits you best?

Let's explore the six most common leadership styles and help you find your perfect match.

The Power Players: Authoritative and Democratic Leadership

Authoritative leaders are like skilled conductors, orchestrating their teams with clear direction while remaining open to input. They excel at setting expectations and motivating teams towards long-term goals, making them particularly effective in situations requiring strategic vision and decisive action.

Democratic leaders, on the other hand, believe in the power of collective wisdom. They create an environment where everyone's voice matters, fostering innovation and engagement through collaborative decision-making. While this approach might take longer to reach conclusions, it often leads to better-quality decisions and higher team buy-in.

The People Developers: Coaching and Affiliative Leadership

If you're passionate about nurturing talent, you might gravitate towards the coaching leadership style. These leaders are like skilled gardeners, identifying potential and creating personalised development plans to help team members flourish. They focus on long-term growth and capability building, making this approach particularly valuable in organisations committed to talent development.

Affiliative leaders prioritise emotional connections and team harmony. They're the relationship builders who excel at creating strong bonds and resolving conflicts. Think of them as the social glue that holds teams together. While this style creates a positive work environment, it's important to balance relationship-building with maintaining performance standards.

The Performance Drivers: Pacesetting and Laissez-faire Leadership

Pacesetting leaders set the bar high and lead by example. They're like Olympic coaches, pushing for excellence and demonstrating the standards they expect. While this approach can drive impressive results with highly motivated teams, it's important to monitor team wellbeing to prevent burnout.

At the other end of the spectrum, laissez-faire leaders provide maximum autonomy with minimal supervision. This style can work wonders with experienced, self-motivated professionals but might leave less experienced team members feeling adrift without proper guidance.

Finding Your Leadership Sweet Spot

Discovering your leadership style isn't about picking one approach and sticking to it religiously. The most effective leaders are like skilled chefs, blending different styles based on the situation at hand. They might use democratic leadership for strategic planning but switch to authoritative leadership during crises.

Start by reflecting on your natural tendencies and strengths. What comes most naturally to you? How do others respond to your leadership? Consider your team's needs and your organisation's culture when choosing your approach.

Remember, leadership development is a journey, not a destination. Begin by mastering one primary style that aligns with your strengths, then gradually incorporate elements of other styles to become more versatile. Regular feedback and assessment of your impact on team performance and morale will help you refine your approach over time.

The key to successful leadership lies not in rigidly adhering to one style but in developing the flexibility to adapt your approach based on the situation and the needs of your team. After all, the best leaders aren't those who stick to a single playbook – they're the ones who know when and how to switch between different styles to bring out the best in their teams.

So, what's your leadership style? The answer might not be as straightforward as you think, and that's perfectly fine. The most important thing is to stay authentic, remain open to growth, and always keep your team's success at the heart of your leadership journey.

Want to learn more about leadership styles? Litmus helps people and teams feel in their element and communicate in a way that’s anything but neutral. 

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