There are
different
leadership styles out there. Depending on what you are trying
to achieve, knowing the different styles can help you become a better
and successful leader.
In some point in time, most of us will find
ourselves needing to take on some kind of leadership role. There are
leadership positions almost in any type of organization, hobby,
religion, and politics. During your experiences in life, you will come
across many different people who practice different leadership styles.
Kurt Lewin, a famous psychologist,
categorized leadership into three basic styles. Since 1939 when he
identified these three styles, other types of leadership have been
established. Lewin recognized that good leaders know how to use a style
or a combination of a couple of styles to apply to their situation.
Autocratic leadership is the first style
that Lewin categorized. This is a dictator style of leading. One person
makes all the decisions and likes it that way. This type of leadership
promotes clear expectations and routine.
This style also is one that causes a lot of
unhappy subordinates. Autocratic leaders normally aren’t very
creative and they demand obedience.
Autocratic leadership is best used when the
group or team member doesn’t know anything about the
procedure or process of what you are trying to accomplish. It also
works well in situations where there isn’t a lot of need for
input.
The Democratic leader, on the other hand,
likes to involve others. This is usually known as the most effective
style of leadership.
Not only the leader, but team members and
employees feel like they can make a contribution in the decision-making
process. This helps everyone to feel appreciated and satisfied.
Leaders who use this style try to act more
as a guide than a boss. They will use discussion to look for
suggestions or ideas. Even though the leader has the final say, the
team will usually feel that they are included in the whole process.
Followers usually are more loyal in this
type of situation because they have a personal stake in the outcomes.
Overall, this style benefits everyone who is involved.
The third style that Lewin categorized is
called the Delegative-Free Rein style. This type of leadership style
focuses on understanding priorities and delegating the tasks. The
leader in this situation will ask others to even make decisions, but
will take on all final responsibilities.
This leadership style works best when groups
or team members know what they are doing. In situations where
individuals are highly motivated and well-trained, this is a style
worth looking into.
Depending on what kind of situation you are
in, it is a good idea to look into the different leadership styles to
see what would work best for you and your team.
Discover more
about becoming a great leader at www.RaiseALeader.com
