The Four Styles of Leadership

A leadership style is a technique that guides how you direct others. It includes the methods you use to accomplish your goals, your approach to authority, and how you perceive your role as a leader. The leadership style you choose will depend on your personality and goals, the people you will be working with, and the type of project you will be leading. The four basic styles of leadership are

authoritative
receptive
independent
flexible

Authoritative

Authoritative leaders exert their authority and expect obedience. They act as "parental" figures. If employees do what they say when they say it, they will be rewarded. If employees oppose their authority, they will be punished. An authoritative leader provides explicit directions.

Receptive

A leader who has a receptive style has authority but chooses to discuss ideas and plans with group members before making final decisions. Receptive leaders practice active listening and proactive leadership.

Independent

Independent leaders promote autonomy among their employees, allowing them a large amount of freedom and reducing the leadership own role to that of an advisor. This type of leader helps group members by making information more accessible. Independent leaders act as the go-between for their teams and the rest of the organization. They have authority but prefer to exercise it as little as possible.

Flexible

Flexible leaders use a variety of techniques to get the best results for the customer and for each team member. For example, you might need to coach one person, train someone else, or give explicit instructions to another person on the same team. A flexible style enables a leader to assist team members with various personalities successfully.

The leadership style you choose to adopt is up to you. You should consider the personalities of those on your team, your personal preference, and the project or decision that's relevant. Understanding the different styles of leadership can help you choose the best method for particular circumstances so that you can manage a team of employees most effectively.