9 Variations of Leadership Styles
Different people display different leadership styles. Team leadership is important in influencing the team members to achieve the goals of the group. An ideal leader, therefore, leads to a great team. The leader can be a strong catalyst using leadership styles which enhance the effectiveness of each and every member of the team, and to allow the group to realize its full potential.
How is the ideal leader categorised?
The ideal leader is a person possessing the organization skills, style, driving force and a positive attitude when faced with stress and unexpected circumstances.
There are nine leadership styles common today. Let's examine them individually and determine which of the leadership styles you have. Such an analysis can determine if you have the best leadership style required for handling your team and the tasks it faces.
The Mentor Of the various leadership styles, the mentor is believed to be the most interpersonally oriented. This type of leader is cares for the individual members of the team. They are encouraged to bring out the best in themselves in order to improve their further development. The mentor gives help and advice freely without the expectation of anything in return.
A good leader with this leadership style has to understand the needs of every team member, set boundaries and assert authority from the outset. Such a leader must also be able to say 'NO' when 'NO' is meant.
The Idealist The idealist possesses a leadership style which makes for a great leader. This type of leader is tolerant, fair, organized and clever, and is focused on the goal. Idealists are frequently tagged as perfectionists. This apparent perfectionism, however, is the driving force they possess to enable them to succeed.
The Partner This is a very group oriented type of leader compared to other leadership styles. The Partner is courageous and tends to the needs of the group in general, particularly the organizational needs. This type of leader can tend to be a faultfinder, and might always be looking for flaws in the process.
The Star The Star is a liberal risk-taker; a go-getter and very goal-oriented. This leadership style tends towards self-promotion and their truthfulness is often fundamental to their development.
The Synthesizer Of the nine leadership styles, this is the most independent. Synthesizers are bright and influential, and see all the parts of a picture and weld them into one. Their weakness is that they can frequently be detached from emotion, and consequently appear insensitive to the needs of others. They do not always make good team leaders.
The Innovator The Innovator views things from varying angles. They can keep a group on track without them screwing up, and take a fresh a different view of sometimes difficult situations. People with this leadership style, however, can be moody.
The Advocate Among the leadership styles, the Advocate is able to accept great responsibility without dominating the group. This type of leader is sympathetic but confident in his abilities. For these reasons, advocates tend to have loyal followers.
The Diplomat Of all the leadership styles the diplomat is associated with cooperation and is team centred. Diplomats tend to be composed and unflappable but with great focus. They find it easy to get along with other team members, and can help each with their own problems, frequently resulting in consensus. Diplomats must stay active in the task, and their association with others, and remain focussed on the goal until it has been achieved.
The Futurist The Futurist is an optimist. They are easy going, honest, fair and approachable. They are occasionally looked upon as egotistical and lacking in analytical ability.
With all of these leadership styles, it is essential to consider personal behaviour and competence when assessing their relative effectiveness. effectiveness. No two people have exactly the same leadership styles, which are connected with personal knowledge, development, education, background, communication skills, motivation, etc, etc. No style is 'right' and no style is 'wrong'.
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