Leadership skills are acquired attributes that begin early in childhood, typically within the playground. Some children develop specific leadership traits and personalities that make them better leaders than others, who may just be as happy to be a part of the team.
Then, as life continues, various distinct experiences further shape a leader’s philosophy and psychology into who he becomes.
During their career, a leader may find that her winning formula is not producing the results it used to. New challenges require new approaches, management skills and ways to communicate. This is the time for her to unlearn her familiar management approach, recognise various limitations, and change her management style to become the more effective leader in the situation she is faced with.
Management is based in experience and habit, not intellect. Success comes 20 percent from knowledge and 80 percent from behaviour.
Management lives in how we think, not what we think.
If you are aware of these different ways of leading, you can adapt your style to manage circumstances and advance your intended goals. How do you decide which styles to employ? Let’s start by taking a look at the six common management styles we have outlined here.
We will look at six unique leadership styles, being;
- Servant leadership;
- Charismatic leadership;
- Transformational leadership;
- Innovative leadership;
- Laissez-Faire leadership, and;
- Situational leadership.
The six common management styles
The Servant Leader
Common behaviour traits
- Puts service to others before self-interest
- Includes the whole team in decision making
- Provides tools to get the job done
- Stays out of limelight, lets team accept credit for results
Situations that benefit
- When leader is elected to a team, organisation, committee, or community
- When anyone, at any level of the group, meets the needs of the team
How this style affects others
- Organisations with these leaders often seen on “best places to work” list
- Can create a positive culture and lead to high employee engagement levels
- Ill-suited if situation calls for quick decisions or meeting tight deadlines
The Charismatic Leader
Common behaviour traits
- Influences others through power of personality
- Acts energetically, motivating others to move forward
- Inspires passion
- May seem to believe more in self than in the team
Situations that benefit
- To spur others to action
- To expand an organisation’s position in the marketplace
- To raise team morale
How this style affects others
- Can create risk that a project or group will flounder if leader leaves
- Leader’s feeling of invincibility can ruin a team by taking on too much risk
- Team success seen as directly connected to the leader’s presence
The Transformational Leader
Transformational leadership is another one of the common management styles.
Common behaviour traits
- Expects team to transform even when it’s uncomfortable
- Counts on everyone giving their best
- Serves as a role model for all involved
Situations that benefit
- To encourage the group to pursue innovative and creative ideas and actions
- To motivate the group by strengthening team optimism, enthusiasm, and commitment
How this style affects others
- Can lead to high productivity and engagement from all team members
- Team needs detailed-oriented people to ensure scheduled work is done
The Innovative Leader
Another of our common management styles is Innovative leadership.
Common behaviour traits
- Grasps the entire situation and goes beyond the usual course of action
- Can see what is not working and brings new thinking and action into play
Situations that benefit
- To break open entrenched, intractable issues
- To create a work climate for others to apply innovative thinking to solve problems, develop new products and services
How this style affects others
- Risk taking is increased for all
- Failures don’t impede progress
- Team gains job satisfaction and enjoyment
- Atmosphere of respect for others’ ideas is present
The Situational Leader
Common behaviour traits
- Links behaviour with group’s readiness
- Includes being directing and supportive, while empowering and coaching
Situations that benefit
- Where ongoing procedures need refinement, reinvention, or retirement
How this style affects others
- Can be confusing if behaviour changes unpredictably and too often
- Can reduce uncertainty as leader adapts behaviour appropriately
The Laissez-Faire Leader
Another of our common management styles is the Laissez-Faire leadership style.
Common behaviour traits
- Knows what is happening but not directly involved in it
- Trusts others to keep their word
- Monitors performance, gives feedback regularly
Situations that benefit
- When the team is working in multiple locations or remotely
- When a project, under multiple leaders, must come together by a specific date
- To get quick results from a highly cohesive team
How this style affects others
- Effective when team is skilled, experienced, and self-directed in use of time and resources
- Autonomy of team members leads to high job satisfaction and increased productivity
Summary of Common Management Styles
To summarise, those six common management styles, are;
- Servant leadership;
- Charismatic leadership;
- Transformational leadership;
- Innovative leadership;
- Laissez-Faire leadership, and;
- Situational leadership.
Changing your leadership style in various situations will make you a far more effective manager in the long run. Use the six common styles we list above, to further improve how you lead others. Good luck!
About the Author
James Styles currently lives in Nebraska, and enjoys football, fishing and family. He contributes to Forbes and other magazines.