The Three Levels of Leadership - Scouller Leadership Blog » Leadership Styles Quickly Explained
Leadership Styles Quickly Explained
The term “leadership styles” is often used interchangeably with “leadership models”. However, for me, leadership styles are different from leadership models. I see “leadership styles” as referring to descriptions of the ways in which real-life leaders behave… whereas leadership models are ideas about how to be effective in action as a leader.
Seven Leadership Styles
So what are the main leadership styles? Into the category of leadership styles, I’d put:
- Transformational leadership
- Transactional leadership
- Charismatic leadership
- Narcissistic leadership
- Authoritarian (or Autocratic) leadership
- Participative (or Democratic) leadership
- Delegative (or Laissez-Faire) leadership
Here are quick (60 second) summaries of each leadership style. If you are interested you can find more detailed descriptions on the Businessballs Leadership Theory page here.
Transformational Leadership
This is probably the most admired of the leadership styles. Why? Because the transformational leader makes the right things happen.
It was James MacGregor Burns who first described this style of leadership. The transformational leader taps into his people’s needs and values, inspires them with new possibilities and raises their confidence, conviction and desire to achieve a common, moral purpose.
Of the seven leadership styles, transformational leadership stands out for being centred on a long-term, high moral purpose.
Transactional Leadership
This is a leadership style that’s common in politics. The leader gets a follower to act in a certain way in return for something the latter wants to have or to avoid. So, for example, the politician may offer tax cuts in exchange for votes.
It’s less likely to achieve major change than transformational leadership as the goals of transactional leaders are less ambitious, by definition.
Charismatic Leadership
Perhaps the most high-profile of the leadership styles. Charismatic leaders rely on their personality gifts to influence people and shape their future.
However, charismatic leadership demands more than just a remarkable personality. The followers must also project an image of specialness and authority on to the leader and give him power over them.
What this means is that charismatic leadership relies on the twin effect of a leader’s personality plus a strong belief by followers that this special person is the one to lead them in their hour of need.
If you’d like to read more about this leadership style elsewhere in my blog, just click this link: A Brief Look at Charismatic Leadership.
Narcissistic Leadership
Of the seven leadership styles, this one only came to public attention around the turn of the 21st century following articles and books by various authors.
Narcissistic Leadership simply refers to leadership by a narcissist and the co-dependent relationship it involves between the leader and his closest circle of followers. Again, you can read more about this particular style elsewhere in my blog by clicking A Brief Look at Narcissistic Leadership.
Authoritarian Leadership
This style (along with the Participative and Delegative styles) was first outlined by Kurt Lewin. It’s sometimes called the Autocratic style.
It’s where leaders spell out the goals, deadlines and methods while making decisions on their own without any or much consultation with others. Here, the leader doesn’t usually get involved in the group’s work.
Not surprisingly, researchers have found you are less likely to see creative decisions under this style of leadership. However, it’s a decisive way of leading and can suit high-risk, short-timescale decisions; the kind that surgical teams and fire crews have to take.
Participative Leadership
Sometimes called the Democratic style, it’s where the leader expresses his or her priorities and values in setting goals and making decisions, but also takes part in the group’s work and accepts advice and suggestions from colleagues. However, the leader makes the final decision.
This style can produce more creative problem solving and innovation than the Authoritarian approach so it makes sense to adopt it in competitive, non-emergency situations.
Delegative Leadership
Also sometimes called the Laissez-Faire style, the leader hands over responsibility for results to the group. He or she lets them set goals, decide on work methods, define individuals’ roles and set their own pace of work.
It is very much a hands-off approach. It can work well provided the group shares the same overall intent and direction as the leader and if he or she trusts all members of the group. However, there is always a risk that individuals may become dissatisfied with their roles or the group’s goals and lose motivation.
The author of this blog is James Scouller, an executive coach. His book, The Three Levels of Leadership: How to Develop Your Leadership Presence, Knowhow and Skill, was published by Management Books 2000 in May 2011. You can learn more about it at www.three-levels-of-leadership.com. If you want to see its reviews, click here: leadership book reviews. If you want to know where to buy it, click HERE.
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This answered my questions, thank you!
Very informative post. Thank you!