Understanding Your Leadership Style

“What type of leader am I?” It’s a question we may have all asked ourselves at some point as leaders and it is a question of fundamental importance.

Indeed, self-awareness of your leadership style can be a vital step towards becoming an effective and impactful leader. Understanding your leadership style is essential for personal and professional growth. It sets the tone for your interactions, shapes team dynamics, and influences organisational success. By being aware of your strengths and areas for development, you can lead with confidence and inspire those around you.

With that in mind, we have created this article to explore some of the most common leadership styles and over some guidance on how you can assess your own leadership style.

Exploring Various Leadership Styles

Of course leadership comes in all shapes and forms and there is no perfect ‘one size fits all’. There are several prominent leadership styles however, so let’s explore these in more detail now.

1. Autocratic Leadership:

Autocratic leaders assert authority and make decisions independently. This style can be effective in times of crisis or when quick decisions are necessary. However, it may limit team engagement and hinder creativity and collaboration.

2. Democratic Leadership:

Democratic leaders value inclusivity and seek input from team members before making decisions. This style fosters a sense of ownership and empowers individuals. However, it may slow down the decision-making process in certain situations.

3. Transformational Leadership:

Transformational leaders inspire and motivate others to reach their full potential. They create a compelling vision and nurture strong relationships. This style encourages innovation and personal growth. Nevertheless, it requires continuous effort and can be challenging to sustain.

4. Servant Leadership:

Servant leaders prioritise the needs of their team members and work selflessly to support their growth and development. This style fosters trust, loyalty, and a sense of community. However, it may require careful balance to address broader organisational goals.

Assessing Your Own Leadership Style:

Now it’s time for some self-reflection.

Consider the following questions to gain insight into your leadership style, and be critically honest with yourself:

• How do you typically make decisions?
• How do you communicate with your team members?
• How do you handle conflicts or challenges?
• Are you more focused on achieving results or fostering relationships?
• Do you adapt your leadership approach based on the needs of the situation?

The answers to these killer questions will go some way to uncovering what type of leader you are. Simply the process of self-analysing in this way can be a beneficial exercise to help better understand what type of leader you are.

The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability:

While understanding your dominant leadership style is valuable, being flexible and adaptable is equally important. Effective leaders recognise the need to adjust their approach based on the circumstances and the individuals they lead. Embrace the opportunity to incorporate various leadership styles and leverage the strengths of each to achieve optimal outcomes.

Developing Your Leadership Style

Building upon your existing leadership style is a long-term ongoing process. Here are some practical tips for further development:

1. Seek feedback: Actively solicit input from your team members, colleagues, and mentors to gain different perspectives on your leadership style.
2. Embrace learning opportunities: Engage in leadership development programs, attend workshops, read books, and explore online resources to expand your knowledge and refine your skills.
3. Emulate inspiring leaders: Study the leadership styles of successful individuals you admire and identify aspects that resonate with you. Incorporate those qualities into your own approach.

Leadership is a multifaceted journey, and understanding your unique leadership style is key to making a lasting impact. However, being one set-in-stone leadership type may hinder your leadership abilities due to each style having its own unique downfalls, to avoid this you need to be a flexible leader and bend your style depending on many factors throughout your journey.

All of this can be easier said than done, however, and that’s where Nexus Leaders comes in.

As a member of Nexus Leaders, you are part of a vibrant community that values growth, support, and collaboration. We embrace self-reflection, continuously develop our leadership abilities and continue on the path to becoming extraordinary leaders.