Exploring Common Leadership Styles
Leadership styles vary across frameworks, but several are widely recognized for their distinct approaches to guiding teams and organizations. Below, we explore seven commonly cited leadership styles, along with a note on additional styles and frameworks.
Key Leadership Styles
- Autocratic - The leader makes decisions unilaterally, maintaining full control with minimal input from the team. Link
- Democratic - Encourages team participation and incorporates input from team members in decision-making processes. Link
- Transformational - Inspires and motivates followers by sharing a compelling vision and fostering innovation. Link
- Transactional - Focuses on structure, results, and a system of rewards and consequences to drive performance. Link
- Laissez-Faire - Adopts a hands-off approach, granting team members significant autonomy to make decisions. Link
- Servant - Prioritizes the needs and development of team members, leading by serving others. Link
- Situational - Adapts leadership style based on the specific context and needs of the team or task. Link
Additional Styles and Frameworks
While the above seven styles are among the most widely recognized, other models include additional styles such as Charismatic, Bureaucratic, or Coaching. The exact number of leadership styles depends on the framework used. For example, Daniel Goleman’s model identifies six core styles, while other frameworks may expand to include 10 or more. Each style has unique strengths and is best suited to specific situations.
For a deeper dive into a specific leadership framework or context, feel free to explore further or reach out for more details!