There are countless numbers and types of leadership styles in organizations today. Unfortunately, many leaders today are ineffective because they are not motivators or because they have a warped idea about their role and purpose. As such, workers in these organizations suffer from inadequate leadership and likely have no energy, motivation or loyalty to organization. Leaders who honestly appraise their leadership style can effectively reinvent themselves in order to inspire and motivate those whom they lead, are to be commended. Here are five basic categories of leadership. Identify which category best suits your style and how you can best use your style to motivate and lead those who work with you.
1.Authoritarian. Leaders using this style are often harsh, demanding, and inflexible in their approach to others. Best stated as “It is my way or highway!”
2.Humanistic. This leadership style is characterized by someone who does not follow a precise plan. They allow others to set agendas. You may hear a humanistic leader say “What do you think we should do today?”
3.Charismatic. These leaders depend on personality and energy for success. You can hear them say “Wow! I am really excited about this!”
4.Democratic. Democratic leaders are always seeking a group consensus prior to moving ahead. Have you heard anyone say this lately? “Before we go any further, let’s take a vote.”
5.Mission-Driven. Leaders who are mission-driven build teams to help bring about organization’s vision and purpose. They may be overhead to say, “We are all in this together.”