What are leadership styles?
A leadership style is the manner in which a leader gives guidance, implements
strategies, and motivates individuals. Different authors have identified many
different leadership styles displayed by great leaders in the past, from
Napoleon Hill to John F. Kennedy. The research into these leadership styles has
found that all leaders have common traits. These traits make them good
communicators, good problem solvers, innovative thinkers, emotional
communicators, and so on. Here are some of the most important characteristics
of leadership styles.
What is Leadership?
What is leadership? This is
a question many ask, especially when they are not a leader themselves.
Leadership is a study field, and an important practical skill encompassing an
individual's ability to lead, influence or control others, groups, or an organization.
To some this may seem like "bragging rights", but it is a serious
question that must be answered.
What is leadership? In
simple terms it is defined as a process whereby an individual or group of
people to get things done by working together towards a common goal.
A lot has been written about
leadership, and many theories and models have been developed to describe the
process. It has also been shown that the definition of leadership can change
over time, and it may even be dependent on the environment in which leadership
occurs. So this leads one to the question of what is leadership and why do you
need it to get things done.
Concept of Leadership
The concept of leadership
was described by two eminent philosophers of the 19th century: Sir Alfred
Kinard and Sir Maximilians Wagener. These two philosophers distinguished
between managerial and leadership styles, and how each influenced the
performance of the company or organization.
They also made note of
characteristics that make a manager effective, as well as the characteristics
that make a great leader. What is leadership? Is a question many executives and
managers ponder at some point in time, and it's almost a universal truth that
great leaders are very good managers, and vice versa.
What is leadership involved
in day-to-day operations? Leadership involves getting others to work with you
to get something accomplished. It also involves using social influence to build
up personal morale and cooperation within an organization. It also involves the
use of delegation, persuasion, and the use of incentives.
So, how are we to
differentiate between these three elements of true leadership? First, it must
be understood that leaders are not usually born leaders. They must be groomed
and molded over many years to become that way.
Once they attain their role,
however, they have proven their ability to lead in many ways, and people begin
to look to them for guidance and advice. They don't just talk the talk; they
walk the walk. Great leaders are thoughtful, and considerate, yet are also able
to put their own personal stamp on the company and its affairs.
Different Definitions of Leadership
A second definition is that
of vision. Leaders set the vision and their followers work to make it happen.
True leadership involves seeing clearly the ends and the means of achieving
those ends, but then taking into account the needs and interests of all parties
involved before making decisions.
A third definition is that
of visioning. This involves knowing where you want to go as a leader and
working to get there. Great leaders identify problems and determine the best
way to solve them.
They do not simply tell
their followers what they should do; rather, they carefully examine every
opportunity they have, looking for opportunities to apply their talents to make
the company more successful. They define leadership, rather than living with
the status quo and hoping for better days.
Taking Risks is a fourth
vital ingredient of leadership. Great leaders explore new opportunities and
take calculated risks that may end up transforming the organization. At the
same time, however, they recognize that risks must be undertaken to allow them
to achieve their goals and so they set appropriate risks-the price you pay for
success.
These risks allow great
leaders to influence others positively to follow their leadership example.
Finally, you need to remember that leadership is not simply a matter of telling
others what to do; rather, you must demonstrate a willingness to act even when
others may deem it risky or silly. The fact is that you can influence others by
taking risks and showing leadership in the appropriate circumstances.
Leadership Types?
There are four main types of
leadership styles, and they are autocratic, bureaucratic, participative, and
paternalistic leadership styles. Of these, the autocratic leader is probably
the one most associated with business and politics.
Autocratic Leadership
Autocratic leadership styles
are demanding and seem to demand total compliance from the members of the
organization. This can be seen in things like the demands that companies make
on their employees for corporate bonuses, raises, or other benefits.
The bureaucratic leadership
The bureaucratic leadership
style is the leadership style in which the leader is viewed as the absolute
ruler. The leader not only commands respect, but he or she dictates the rules.
Bureaucratic leaders are also harsh, manipulative, and controlling. In fact,
the very nature of bureaucracy is itself authoritarian. The problems with
bureaucratic leadership styles is that they are very ineffective, and even if
they do work well in large organizations, they don't work at all in small
firms.
Participative leadership styles
The third type of leadership
style, participative leadership styles, are described as those in which leaders
encourage, discuss, and debate issues. These leaders allow people to get their
own ideas before making decisions. They are flexible, open-minded, and are
willing to learn from others. This is one of the great leaders' greatest
strengths, and it allows him or her to learn quickly and adapt quickly to new
situations.
Paternalistic leadership styles
Transformational leadership
styles, as well as bureaucratic leadership styles, believe that people are
capable of change. They think that the changes that must take place in order
for any change to be successful are ones that are motivated by the desire to
improve the effectiveness of a situation, a company, or even an individual. The
leader encourages the change and then helps facilitate the transformation as
well. This is an extremely effective style, and it can have a profound effect
on the productivity of an organization as well as its employees. This is one of
the best leadership styles for a business that wants to improve the health of
its employees, as well as its ability to provide them with a sense of
well-being.
Tips to Become Communicative Leader
Those leadership styles that
are most effective are communicative leadership styles. These leadership styles
involve getting employees to work together to solve problems, or to reach a
common goal. These leaders encourage people to communicate their thoughts and
ideas to one another, so that they can come up with solutions to the problems
that they face together. People are usually encouraged to express their opinion
as well, so that they can get the needed feedback from others.
Other Styles of Leadership
Consultative style
Another style of leadership
is that of the consultative style. This leadership style concentrates on the
idea that group members should have the ability to speak up for themselves
whenever they feel like doing something, without having to wait for the
approval of the leader. Consultative leadership styles often encourage group
members to speak up when they think that something needs to be done, but they
should not be expected to do it alone.
What should a Leader Think?
Each of these leadership
styles has its own strengths and weaknesses. Each of the leadership styles is
appropriate for certain situations, but each of the leadership styles should be
practiced in order to be effective. It is important for everyone in an
organization to become comfortable with the various leadership styles that are
available, because each style can be useful in some situations but less so in
others.
It is also important for everyone in an organization to understand the differences between the leadership styles, so that they know which one to use when. By practicing the leadership styles that are suitable for them, the employees of an organization will become more effective and they will be happier at work.
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