One definition of leadership is that it is an example and action and not a title or a position. It tends to be a person or persons who develop a positive attitude and transmit the positivity to others to influence them to obtain a common goal.
On the other hand, leadership is naturally and partially polymorphic. It could have another meaning depending on various occurrences. Therefore, there are many types of leadership styles out there. The following includes the common types of leadership:
1. Autocratic leadership style
This style is one-dimensional leadership that designates full authority to the manager, boss, and/or leader. The full authoritative person will make all decisions without informing team members or subordinates. He/she will then inform the team members who must immediately abide by the new decisions.
2. Coaching leadership style
This is an indirect leadership style, and it is one of the most effective ones. Leaders will teach and encourage more and will do some supervision. This style typically leads to employee skills’ improvement, more employee and team members’ motivation, and their grooming.
3. Strategic leadership style
Strategic leadership is a leader’s capability to express a course of direction for the organization and to influence the organization to pursue the vision with the use of the right techniques.
4. Transformational leadership style
This leadership style focuses on pursuing high goals, working in harmony as a team to accomplish the goals, and to complete those goals within strict deadlines. The leader must have intellectually stimulating skills to start a change in himself/herself and others in the company and a certain strategic vision level.
5. Laissez-faire leadership style
Team members are delegated responsibility to work on their own with little to no interference. This style works best for self-motivated and experienced individuals in creative teams and who do not need much supervision.
6. Charismatic leadership style
Leaders who have a compelling charm of a plethora of individuals. These leaders are confident, passionate, and self-motivated.
7. Transactional leadership style
Transactional leadership concentrates on structure and order. They use incentives and motivation by offering rewards, such as extra vacation days or bonuses, for those employees with great performance and results. Otherwise, they will punish those who do not have good performance.
8. Bureaucratic leadership style
Bureaucratic leadership is similar to authoritative leadership in that they are the decision makers. However, they do not listen to the input of employees. So, if the employee’s input is contrary to company policies or goals. the leader will reject the input.
9. Participative leadership style
Also known as democratic leadership, this style includes management where he/she leads others by example and works in the group’s activities. These leaders will frequently encourage team members to be more involved in certain projects or tasks or projects.
10. Situational leadership style
The situational leadership style includes easily adapting to changing people and environments. Thus, this leader knows that he/she must adjust their management techniques to fit the kind of followers who they are trying to encourage.