Leadership Styles and Why They Matter.

Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people.--Gandhi

I am pretty sure that Gandhi had a lot of things right.

His opinion on leadership is surely correct, and it cannot be stated clearly enough. The importance of being capable of being a team player and getting along well with the people you work in close contact with is one of the surest ways of becoming a success. To become a good leader, you will need to know when to use a certain leadership style for a given situation.

Authoritative style: This style should be used when you wish to persuade those that follow you to carry out a specific task. A leader who uses the authoritative method is telling their followers to "join them." This is a style of leadership which will convey a great deal of confidence.

Coercive method: When a leader uses this style, they are telling their followers to "do as I say, not as I do." This style is not good for people who run their own businesses. A business person who uses this style will find it hard to build strong bonds with their employees, because they don't set a good example. This style should rarely be used, especially if you are the manager or CEO of a company. It is not efficient for laying down long term objectives.

Affiliative method: Another name for this style could be called "followers come first." This is one of the best leadership styles in existence. A leader who uses this style realizes that they are nothing without those that follow them. These leaders will typically be quick to perform difficult tasks with those beneath them, and will not place themselves above those they lead, even though they have enough power to do so.

Democratic method: Leaders who use this method will want their followers to have a say in the decisions they make. This is a very good style of leadership that is similar to the affiliative method. When employees are allowed to play a part in the decisions that are made by the leader, they will feel valuable, and research has shown that they will become very productive.

Pacesetting method: With this style, a leader will create high standards that they will follow, and will expect their employees to perform in the same manner. With this style, the leader is basically telling their employees to "act as I do."

Coaching method: With this style, the leader will place an emphasis on the development of his followers. This is a good style of leadership because it allows you to invest in your followers, and when their skills or knowledge is enhanced, they will be more productive.

When you get the opportunity to lead, which style of leader do you think you are? A moment of self-analysis is never a bad thing, and it is worth your time to think about these styles very carefully before you lead a group again. Which style suits you and your persona the best? Can you flex your style?

Good luck to all of my students as they go out to become leaders in their fields.