Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Whether you're managing a project, organizing a community event, leading a team at work, or planning something with your family, there are many ways to approach leadership. At some point, everyone will find themselves in a position where they are guiding others, even if it’s informally or temporarily. The most-effective leaders are those who can understand and apply different leadership approaches depending on the situation and the personalities they are working with. Below are some common styles that might come up more often than you think, and no one style is right all the time.
Autocratic Leadership
Autocratic leadership involves making decisions unilaterally, with little to no input from others. This approach can be effective when quick, decisive action is needed or when there's little room for discussion. It’s a style that ensures clarity and efficiency, particularly in high-pressure environments or when immediate results are required.
It’s important to recognize when this style is necessary, such as in a crisis or when there's a need for strong direction, and when it could cause frustration among team members who feel their input is disregarded.
Examples
- Good: You have friends visiting from far away, and they want to enjoy your town or city. You may find yourself in a more autocratic leadership role, because they want you to show them around an unfamiliar place.
- Bad: You are on a historical preservation board and are making decisions on what to do with the library from 1815. There are likely many different opinions on complex issues; trying to make autocratic decisions would likely upset and irritate others.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Provides clear direction.
- Works well in emergencies or situations requiring fast decisions.
- Very efficient when others are willing to do anything you ask.
Cons
- Stifles creativity and collaboration.
- May create resentment or disengagement.
- Can lead to a lack of buy-in from team members.
Democratic Leadership
Democratic leadership emphasizes collaboration, where the leader seeks input and feedback from team members before making decisions. This approach encourages involvement and is highly effective when a variety of perspectives are valuable. However, it can be slower than autocratic leadership, as consensus needs to be built before decisions are made. Leaders need to be mindful of how long decision-making takes, ensuring that the team stays aligned without getting bogged down in debates.
Being mindful of the personalities involved is important with this style. Some team members may be more comfortable sharing their opinions, while others may need encouragement to participate in the decision-making process.
Examples
- Good: You and a group of friends want to take a group vacation; there is a common goal of going somewhere fun, but with so many choices of places to go and things people want to do, it is good to have everyone’s opinion included.
- Bad: You are in charge of snacks for an afternoon meeting. If you asked and let everyone discuss what the snack would be, you would likely spend more time discussing than they would spend eating it, and you would likely still have some people feeling like they didn’t get what they wanted (you should probably ask about food allergies though!).
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fosters a sense of ownership and engagement.
- Encourages creativity
- Builds trust and morale.
Cons
- Decision-making can be slow.
- Risk of conflict if there is no consensus.
- Requires strong facilitation skills.
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is focused on inspiring and motivating others to achieve more than they thought possible. This style focuses on big-picture goals and rallies people around a shared purpose or mission. It often creates an environment where people are excited by new challenges. However, if people become discouraged, it can be difficult to maintain momentum.
Leaders using this style must be mindful of the personalities of those they lead. Some individuals may embrace change with enthusiasm, while others may be more cautious or resistant.
Examples
- Good: You find a grant opportunity that fits your business or organization really well, and now your team needs to apply and come up with ideas of how the funds could be put toward new innovations. The idea of coming up with new ideas that would work for this is exciting and positive, and there is a deadline, meaning it will not last forever.
- Bad: The water heater in your apartment building has broken, and management is asking all the tenants to submit creative solutions for heating water. This would likely frustrate everyone, since there is a clear solution (fixing the water heater) and people will be uncomfortable until it is fixed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Inspires motivation and long-term commitment.
- Encourages growth and development.
- Fosters innovation and new ideas.
Cons
- Requires significant energy and charisma.
- Harder to sustain over time.
- May not be effective with resistant individuals.
Laissez-Faire Leadership
Laissez-faire leadership is a hands-off approach, where the leader gives team members the freedom to make their own decisions and work independently. This style works best when team members are experienced, self-motivated, and capable of managing their own responsibilities.
While it promotes autonomy and creativity, laissez-faire leadership can lead to a lack of coordination if team members don’t communicate effectively or even resentment toward the leader for lack of clarity or perceived effort.
This leadership style is most effective when you understand the strengths and weaknesses of those you’re leading. It works best with individuals who are self-sufficient and need minimal guidance.
Examples
- Good: You have a plant shop with three good, long-term employees; you find out you need to stay with your mother for a month as she recovers from surgery. Being able to leave the business and trust the employees without micromanaging them from afar will likely make them feel trusted and empowered while you prioritize your family.
- Bad: You are a team leader at a fast-food restaurant and have hired five new employees. After the training day, you tell them that they are bright, intelligent, people; you trust them; and you will be out for the rest of the week to work out some purchase orders. The new employees will likely feel lost or may not do anything at all. Any experienced employees will likely feel overwhelmed by the constant need to help new employees and may not accomplish their tasks either.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Encourages independence and personal responsibility.
- Promotes creativity and innovation.
- Builds trust and autonomy.
Cons
- Can result in lack of direction or coordination.
- May lead to disorganization.
- Requires a highly capable team.
Servant Leadership
Servant leadership is grounded in the idea that the leader’s role is to serve others and reach their potential. Leaders using this style focus on supporting their team’s development, providing the resources and encouragement needed for them to thrive.
This approach is particularly valuable in organizations or teams where long-term success relies on cooperation and personal growth. This style requires sensitivity to the personalities of those being led. Some people thrive with encouragement and support, while others may need a more-direct approach to stay motivated.
Examples
- Good: You’re a director for an organization and one of the volunteers has been facing burnout lately. You reach out to them and talk about how they are feeling and ask what they need to feel more supported. You mention some professional development options, taking a break from the program, or even looking into different opportunities. By showing care and prioritizing their well-being, you can help them feel more valued, empowered, and resilient.
- Bad: You are driving home from work and have come across a car accident. There are two unconscious people and four others who are becoming more and more panicked. When you pull over to help, you begin coaching each person through their feelings and helping them learn breathing techniques to get through panic attacks. By focusing too much on the lesser emergency you may be further hurting those who really need help, and when you are focused on individuals, the other people’s panic is likely growing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Builds strong relationships and loyalty.
- Fosters collaboration and community.
- Encourages personal growth and development.
Cons
- Can lead to burnout if not balanced.
- Requires high emotional intelligence and empathy.
- May be seen as too passive or non-directive by some.
Your Leadership Style
The most-effective leaders are those who recognize that different situations and different people require different approaches. Leadership is about being adaptable and understanding when to switch between styles depending on the context, dynamics, and current goals.
We each have styles we tend to lean on, and sometimes they are the best option! But stretching your abilities and comfort level with other styles will help make you the best leader you can be. Even if you don’t “feel” like a leader now, I promise you’ll find yourself in that position at some point.
