Leadership Styles | Ways to Become an Effective Leader
By: Isaias P. Despi Jr. M.M.
Different people have diverse preferences for leadership styles. Some people work best with a laissez-faire leadership style, while others prefer a more directive approach. So, what type of leader are you? And, more importantly, which kind of leadership is most effective for you?
Leadership refers to the process of influencing others to achieve a common goal.
While the style and approach to Leadership may vary, the goal remains the same: to inspire and motivate people to work together towards a common purpose.
There are many different leadership styles, and each one can be effective depending on the person and the situation. What works well for one person might not be as successful for someone else. Primarily, there are six categories of leadership styles. Each type has its own set of strengths and weaknesses that may work for some situations but not others.
Styles of Leadership
Dictatorial Leadership
This leadership style illustrates as a “Do-as I say,” situation which sounds more like an old man yelling at his blind horse than anything else these days.
However, the era of autocratic Leadership is over. People want to be engaged and have input into decisions, not just follow orders blindly as if they were coming from a superior officer in times long past. Leaders who try to cling to the old ways will find themselves quickly out of touch with the people they meant to serve.
This change in mindset, driven by the younger generation, who used to interact with others on an equal footing. Thanks to social media and other online platforms. If you want your business or organization to stay relevant, you need to find a way to engage your employees and customers in meaningful dialogue. The days of telling people what to do without explanation, no longer exist; today’s leaders need to inspire others.
Authoritative Style
Almost any dictionary would define ‘authoritative’ as having the power to enforce obedience or compliance. It is, unequivocally, a quality which many aspire in leadership roles – and with good reason. After all, an authoritative leader is reliable when making tough decisions and getting things done.
Authoritative leaders are often seen as dictators, but they can be very effective in certain situations. A Leader is someone who can take charge and make decisions when needed. They need to think on their feet and have a firm grip on the situation. An authoritative leader can do all of that while they gain respect from their followers.
Participative Leadership
Democratic Leadership is a type of leader who can succeed in both public and private organizations.
They can use their empathetic skills to build consensus and get things done. They also have excellent communication skills, which they use to understand what their followers want and need. In short, Democratic Leaders can connect with people personally while still maintaining focus on the task at hand. It makes them perfect for leading groups in both the business world and politics. This type of Leadership takes an active role in the decision-making process while getting others involved.
Laissez-faire
Laissez-faire leadership has often been considered an ideal approach to management, but it has its roots in a very different time and place. This leadership style has initially been born out of the French Revolution, and it has come to be known for its hands-off attitude and focus on individual freedom. While there are certainly benefits to this type of Leadership, it is not without its challenges.
When most people hear the word “leader,” they think of someone in charge which makes all the decisions. However, another type of leader delegates authority and lets group members make their own decisions. Some people might say that this type of leadership style is lazy or uninvolved, but I believe it takes a lot of confidence and trust to let others make their own choices. Laissez-faire leaders are often successful because they allow their team to be creative and take ownership of their work. So, if you’re looking for a new way to lead your team, you might want to try being a laissez-faire leader!
Charismatic Leader
Leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be difficult to define. However, one type of Leadership gaining attention in recent years is called charismatic Leadership. This type of Leadership, characterized by the leader’s ability to inspire followers and create a sense of shared purpose. Charismatic leaders can rouse and motivate others through their passion and personality. They are reliable in making things happen and often have a magnetic quality that draws people to them. While some may feel that charisma is innate, it can be learned and developed over time.
Charismatic leaders often have strong personal charisma and conviction, which allows them to influence others and achieve great things. While charismatic Leadership can be highly effective, it can also be risky, as the leader’s actions and decisions can significantly impact the group. For this reason, charismatic leaders need to maintain trust and respect from their followers.
Informative
Informative Leadership is a type of Leadership which best achieved by disseminating information to followers in an accurate and timely manner. Leaders who use this approach often have a wealth of knowledge and can understandably communicate complex ideas.
By sharing their expertise, these leaders help followers make informed decisions that can benefit the organization. Although effective communication is essential for this type of Leadership, it’s also important to be open to new information and feedback from followers. By keeping an open mind, leaders can continue learning and growing, which ultimately benefits the organization.
Leadership in Maritime
Effective Leadership becomes a critical discussion in any typical workplace environment. While it may not be easy to bring this discussion to a seafaring context, it is highly vital to recognize the leadership aspect at sea.
Seafarers have a challenging jobs in the world. When you picture a job at sea, you might imagine a sailor spending month or even years on a boat, never setting foot on land. However, the life of a seafarer is not always so idyllic.
One of the main challenges facing sailors is the constant crew changes required due to the rotating shifts in work. The vessel could have an entirely new team of sailors who join the ship now and then. It could be difficult for newcomers and veteran sailors alike as everyone had to adjust to unique personalities and working dynamics. It could also be challenging to maintain cohesion among such a transient group. This is the same challenge as anyone leading the diverse crew on board.
While leadership qualities are crucial in a seafaring work environment, safety is another primary concern. It is probably why authoritarian type of Leadership seems to be a common practice to ensure everyone is safe while working onboard and protect the lives of crew members.
Of course, it’s not just the captain, who has the responsibility for maintaining safety on board. Every member of the crew must follow instructions and ensure that they adhere to all maritime regulations while working in these unsafe waters. As a leader, however, who has the most significant responsibility and liability amongst dynamic crew members and as someone who implements vessel rules at the same time – could face a challenging situation running a team onboard.
One of the essential things to point out about becoming a leader or working with a leadership style is to uphold effective qualities leading a team at a certain point. It might be necessary to note at first the character, personalities, or even the cultural awareness of everyone involved in the group. According to a new study, five other qualities are just as crucial to being an effective leader.
The Qualities of an Effective Leader
- Intelligence
- Assertiveness
- Self-Confidence
- Emotionality
- Flexibility
As they say, leaders are made, not born. It takes both hard work and the right personality to be a leader in today’s business world. The essential qualities that make up an exceptional leader could also include;
- Being passionate about your job
- Having real-life experience leading teams or managing people
- Setting achievable goals for yourself and others on your team
- Communicating clearly with staff members to know what is expected of them (both during good and difficult situations)
- Encouraging transparency among members by sharing information freely
- Keep things confidential when necessary
We hope you’ve enjoyed this post at what it takes to be a great leader. While many traits make up an effective leader, we believe these are the most important.
If you are looking for ways to improve your skills as a leader, or if you want to help someone else reach their goals, consider using these principles as a guide. Do you have any thoughts on Leadership?
Make your life worthwhile, and to the world before you. BE RELEVANT!
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