Most professionals develop their own style of leadership based on factors like experience and personality, as well as the specific needs of a company and its organizational culture.
Every leader is different, but there are eight leadership styles commonly used in the workplace.
1. Autocratic leadership style
Also called the “authoritarian style of leadership,” this type of leader is someone who's focused primarily on results and team efficiency. Autocratic leaders often make decisions alone or with a small and trusted group and expect employees to do exactly what they’re asked.
2. Bureaucratic leadership style
Bureaucratic leaders are similar to autocratic leaders in that these leaders expect their team members to follow the rules and procedures precisely as written. The bureaucratic style focuses on fixed duties within a hierarchical system, where each employee has a set list of responsibilities, and there's little need for collaboration and creativity.
3. Coaching leadership style
A coaching leader is someone who can quickly recognize their team members’ strengths, weaknesses and motivations to help each individual improve. This type of leader often assists team members in setting smart goals and then provides regular feedback with challenging projects to promote growth. They set clear expectations and creating a positive, motivating environment.
4. Democratic leadership style
The democratic style (aka the "participative style") is a combination of the autocratic and laissez-faire types of leaders. A democratic leader asks their team members for input and considers feedback from the team before they make a decision. Because team members feel their contributions matter, a democratic leadership style is often credited with fostering higher levels of employee engagement and workplace satisfaction.
5. Laissez-faire leadership style
The laissez-faire style is the opposite of the autocratic leadership type, focusing mostly on delegating many tasks to team members and providing little to no supervision. Because a laissez-faire leader doesn't spend their time intensely managing employees, they often have more time for other projects.
6. Pacesetter leadership style
The pacesetting style is one of the most effective for achieving fast results. Pacesetter leaders primarily focus on performance, often set high standards and hold their team members accountable for achieving their goals.
7. Servant leadership style
Servant leaders live by a people-first mindset and believe that when team members feel personally and professionally fulfilled, they’re more effective and more likely to regularly produce great work. Because of their emphasis on employee satisfaction and collaboration, they tend to achieve higher levels of respect.
8. Visionary leadership style
Visionary leaders possess a powerful ability to drive progress and usher in periods of change by inspiring employees and earning trust for new ideas. A visionary leader is also able to establish a strong organizational bond. They strive to foster confidence among direct reports and colleagues alike.
Source: indeed.com
