4 Types Of Leadership Styles With Examples

When it comes to leadership, there are a variety of different styles that can be effective. In addition, each leader has unique strengths and weaknesses, which means the most effective style for one person might not be the best for another.

What Makes A Good Leader?

A good leader can effectively motivate and guide their team to achieve a common goal. While many different factors can contribute to success, four fundamental leadership styles include transformational, transactional, situational, and servant leadership.

Transformational leadership focuses on developing the potential of those around you. This leader is highly inspirational, encouraging others to work hard and think creatively. Transactional leaders are more task-oriented, using rewards and punishments to motivate team members.

Situational leadership takes a more adaptive approach, adjusting leadership style based on the situation's needs. For example, if a group is struggling with a particular challenge, a leader might need to adopt a more directive approach to help guide them through the process.

Finally, servant leadership focuses on empowering and developing others to help everyone reach their potential. This type of leader tends to be more team-oriented and strongly emphasizes collaboration.

Ultimately, the best leaders can balance different styles and adapt to the needs of their team. Whether you are leading a large group or a small project, understanding different leadership styles and how to apply them can help improve your effectiveness as a leader.

There is no one "best" leader, as each person has their strengths and weaknesses to lead others. However, some key leadership styles include transformational, transactional, situational, and servant leadership. Each of these styles can be effective in its way, depending on the situation and the needs of your team. Whether you are leading a large group or a small project, understanding different leadership styles and how to apply them effectively can help you become a more successful leader.

Also Read - Tips To Become an Effective Leader

In this post, we'll look at four common leadership styles, with examples from real life. By understanding these different styles, you can better identify what type of leader you are and how you can improve your skills. Let's get started!

4 Different Types of Leadership Styles:

1. Autocratic or Authoritarian leadership
2. Democratic or participative leadership
3. Free-rein or laisse-faire leadership
4. Paternalistic leadership

1) Autocratic or Authoritarian leadership

The first leadership style we'll look at is authoritarian. This type of leader typically has a very hands-on approach and likes to maintain complete control over their team or organization. One example of an authoritarian leader is former Apple CEO Steve Jobs. While Jobs was known for being a demanding boss, he could also get the most out of his team by being very clear about what he expected and providing them with the resources they needed to get the job done.

Autocratic leadership is often seen as the most traditional and well-known style. This type of leader usually has complete control over their followers and makes all decisions without consulting others first. They are also known for being very demanding, which can lead to high levels of productivity but also a high turnover rate as people become disgruntled.

In most cases, authoritarian leadership is best suited for organizations that need to make fast decisions or move quickly in highly competitive markets. But, on the other hand, if you're looking for someone who can drive your team forward, this may be the right leadership style for you.

2) Democratic or participative leadership

The next type of leadership style is democratic or participative. This type of leader prefers to share their decision-making authority with others, allowing them to have a say in important matters and develop creative solutions.

One example of this type of leadership can be seen in how Mark Zuckerberg led Facebook from its early days until today. Zuckerberg has always encouraged his employees to share their ideas and be actively involved in decision-making. This has helped Facebook grow into the largest social media platform globally, with over 2 billion users.

Democratic leadership is often seen as more collaborative and can lead to higher morale as employees feel part of the team. This type of leader also tends to be more open to new ideas, which can benefit rapidly changing industries. However, it's important to note that this leadership style can also lead to slower decision-making, as everyone needs to be on board before anything can be implemented.

3) Free-rein or laisse-faire leadership

Free-rein or laissez-faire leadership is another standard style of leadership. This type of leader typically takes a more hands-off approach to manage their team, giving them the freedom to be creative and perform at their best.

One example of this type of leadership is Ray Dalio's management style at Bridgewater Associates, a hedge fund with over $150 billion in assets under management. Dalio has created a culture where employees are encouraged to speak up about problems and share new ideas. As a result, Bridgewater has consistently demonstrated strong investment performance for decades.

Laissez-faire leaders often believe that providing too much direction or coaching can hold back their followers' potential and constrain their creativity. They also tend to be more focused on the big picture and less concerned with the day-to-day details. This can be an excellent approach for specific organizations, but it also means that these leaders don't get involved in solving problems or addressing issues as they arise.

4) Paternalistic leadership

Finally, another common type of leadership style is paternalistic or benevolent leadership. This type of leader typically places the needs of their followers above their own personal goals and believes in taking care of their team members like a parent would take care of their child.

One example of this type of leadership can be seen in how Jack Ma leads Alibaba Group, one of the largest eCommerce companies in the world. Ma has often said that his goal as CEO is to provide jobs and help people improve their lives. As a result, Alibaba has become one of China's largest employers and helps millions of people buy and sell goods online every day.

Paternalistic leaders often believe that they know what's best for others, even if others may not agree. This can lead to high levels of engagement and motivation among employees but occasionally come across as controlling or arrogant. Ultimately, the effectiveness of paternalistic leadership will depend on your team members' unique needs and preferences.

Also Read - What does a productive day look like?

Which type of leadership style is right for your organization? Depending on your specific needs and goals, any of these four types of leadership could be effective in helping you achieve success. Before choosing a particular style, consider each approach's unique strengths and weaknesses and how they might fit into your overall strategy.

Are you thinking about starting a new business or looking to improve your leadership skills? Check out these four types of leadership styles with examples for more insights and advice!