Leadership Styles 101
There’s no single way to lead — but knowing your style (and when to flex it) is essential. This guide breaks down the most common leadership styles and when to use them.
Inclusive Leadership: Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
Inclusive leadership is increasingly recognized as crucial in a globalized world where workforces are becoming more diverse. It's about leveraging the diverse talents and perspectives of all team members to achieve better outcomes.
Characteristics of Inclusive Leadership:
Inclusive leadership is centered around creating an environment where diverse voices
Adaptability and Flexibility in Leadership: A Look at Situational Leadership
Developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, situational leadership focuses on the belief that there is no single “best” style of leadership. Instead, effective leadership varies depending on the task at hand and the development level of the team members involved, requiring an adaptable leader to navigate these changes.
Characteristics
Bureaucratic Leadership: Emphasizing Structure and Standardization
This leadership style is rooted in the theories of Max Weber, who saw the value in a structured and rule-based approach to organizational management.
Bureaucratic management emphasizes a hierarchical structure and relies on clear rules and procedures to maintain order and efficiency. Bureaucratic leadership is often associated with large organizations
Organizational Leadership: Driving Strategic Vision and Change
Organizational Leadership involves leading not just teams but entire organizations, requiring an understanding of complex organizational dynamics and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Characteristics of Organizational Leadership:
Organizational leadership extends beyond managing day-to-day operations and focuses on developing and implementing strategic visions for an
Transactional Leadership: The Framework of Rewards and Structure
Transactional Leadership is rooted in the theories of Max Weber and James McGregor Burns, forming the basis of transactional leadership theory. It is often contrasted with transformational leadership, focusing more on maintaining the status quo and managing through structured processes and rewards.
Characteristics of Transactional Leadership Theory:
Transactional leadership style
Servant Leadership: Prioritizing the Needs of Others for Greater Good
The concept of Servant Leadership was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970, focusing on leaders prioritizing their employees' needs over their own, thus reversing the conventional leadership model. This approach emphasizes the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong.
Characteristics of Servant Leadership: