Explore various leadership styles, which can be most effective and learn how self-awareness can enhance your management skills.

Understanding Different Leadership Styles

Management comes in various styles, each with its own unique characteristics. Some leaders are authoritative, making decisions quickly and expecting others to follow. Others may be democratic, seeking input from their people before making decisions.

Then, you have coaching leaders who approach it by leveraging individual strengths to benefit the whole team. Meanwhile, they also offer mentorship and coaching to achieve goals. On the other hand, delegative leaders take more of a back-seat approach, putting the power in the hands of their employees.

Different situations and teams may require different approaches. Understanding the various styles can help you choose the one that best fits your needs and those of your team.

The Importance Of Self-Awareness in Leadership

Before you can be an effective leader, you need to develop a deep understanding of yourself. Self-awareness is the foundation of a good leader. It involves knowing your strengths, areas for improvement and what your ‘default setting’ is. For instance, when a challenge arises, do you panic? Do you take a deep breath and assess the facts? Do you worry about how it makes your people feel?

When you are self-aware, you can play to your strengths and work on the other stuff. This makes you more adaptable and better equipped to handle different situations.

Pros and Cons of Popular Management Styles

Authoritative leadership can be effective in crisis situations where quick decisions are needed. However, it may stifle creativity and make team members feel undervalued.

Democratic leadership encourages individual input and can lead to more innovative solutions. But it can be time-consuming and may lead to a lack of clear direction.

Transformational leadership aims to inspire and motivate. It can lead to high levels of engagement but requires a lot of energy and emotional intelligence from the leader.

Delegative leadership can be less intrusive than other styles, however it can also hinder progress with a lack of clear direction.

Coaching leadership is incredibly motivating. It brings people together as a team. That being said, due to the mentorship and personal development involved, it is not a quick-fix and requires patience.

Why Coaching Leadership Stands Out

Coaching leaders focus on utilising and developing each person’s individual skills and abilities. It involves providing regular feedback and opportunities for growth.

It’s beneficial as it encourages a big-picture approach to work. By analysing the individual skills and personalities of their team, a coaching leader can use the right person for each task, ensuring success.

This style is highly effective because it not only improves performance but also boosts morale. When people feel supported and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and productive.

Elevate Your Leaders with Alchemist

We offer comprehensive and bespoke learning programmes that raise leaders’ self-awareness. Your leaders will be supported on their journey to understand their natural strengths and find a natural groove in people management. From start to finish, our concierge service allows you to reap the full benefit of 30+ years’ experience, guaranteeing a lasting impact for your business