Autocratic leadership
Another common type of leadership is called autocratic leadership. Essentially, this is a top-down approach where all of the decision-making comes from the very top. The leader will not necessarily collect input from different people before making a decision.
This is a very efficient type of leadership that can keep teams cohesive, but it can also stifle innovation, collaboration, and creativity. It also does not leave a lot of room for different types of thought.
Servant leadership
With servant leadership, the needs of the followers are put ahead of the needs of the leader. Essentially, this is a bottom-up approach. It encourages people to grow by giving them a bit more freedom. It can lead to better performance, collaboration, and innovation.
It also creates a safe environment, encouraging people to take risks because they will not be afraid of failure. On the other hand, the leader can be burnt out quickly, it is difficult to train employees using this approach, and it takes a lot of energy.
Transactional leadership
Another common type of leadership is called transactional leadership. This is ideal for short-term planning. Leaders who use this type of leadership typically rely on rewards and punishments to motivate the people who work around them.
This is a very efficient type of leadership where all goals are clearly defined, but it can also limit creativity and growth. Furthermore, if people are not motivated by extrinsic rewards, it may not inspire them.
Coach leadership
Coach leadership fosters collaboration, guidance, and support. In this type of leadership, the leader acts like a coach, trying to bring out the best in his or her team members. This is great for two-way communication, feedback, and professional development.
On the other hand, it is very resource-intensive. It is not necessarily the fastest type of leadership, and it requires a lot of time and energy.
Situational leadership
With situational leadership, you will adapt your management style to match each unique situation. You will change your approach depending on the individual team member.
This is an effective leadership style because it allows you to tailor your supposed to meet the needs of the team member, but it can also be demanding because you need to change your leadership style from time to time.
Be the leader your team needs
In the end, there are many different leadership styles, and you need to think about which one is best for your team. That is why you might be interested in a manager handbook that can go to the basics of different leadership styles, allowing you to find the right one for your company.
Keep in mind that you can always reach out to a professional who can help you figure out how to put your team members in a position to be successful.