Leadership Styles
The Behavioral Characteristics of the Leadership Styles
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Authoritative Leadership (D style)
- Highly directed – leader tells the followers
- Exerting pressure – demanding goals
- Emphasis on speed and achievement
- One-way communication
- The leader is in charge
Change Leadership (D/I style)
- Persuasive, Charismatic and Friendly
- Also competitive and demanding – wants results
- Future oriented – envisioning leadership
- Active and energetic – leading by example
- Positive and optimistic – creating a positive atmosphere
- Leader as a pioneer
Informal Leadership (I style)
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Creativity, positiveness and energy valued more than accuracy or rules
- Personal relationships emphasized
- Competitiveness encouraged through inspiration rather than pressure
- Leader as a friend
Participating Leadership (I/S style)
- Team ethos
- Open, friendly and accepting environment
- Leader works with the followers - no hierarchy
- Shared goals and responsibility
- Leader as a facilitator
Supporting Leadership (S style)
- The leader guides, teaches and develops the followers
- Emphasis on trust, loyalty and sincerity
- Help is mutual – given and expected
- No strong goal focus - emphasis on gradual evolution
- Leader as helper
Planning Leadership (S/C style)
- Thoughtful, cautions, structured leadership
- Generally operating in known areas
- Calm leadership but determined to do things right
- Clear communication of expectations and objectives
- Careful preparation ensures objectives are met
Quality Leadership (C style)
- Emphasis on rules and compliance not inspiration
- Leader remote from the follower – no emotional connection
- Systematic approach
- Ensuring everyone knows what is expected
- The system is the leader
Power-centered Leadership (C/D style)
- High individualism, leader remote from followers
- Formal environment, hierarchical
- High standards, conformity expected, zero tolerance
- Rigid structures, inflexible, slow to react
- The position has the authority
