A leader is the one who steers the company in the right direction and ensures that the employees bring the best version of themselves to the organization. No company or group achieves success overnight, as it results from the consistent labor of team members. People interpret leadership as per their comprehension and observation. However, a consensus is that leadership is a process of influencing a group of people to achieve a common goal by maximizing their potential. In any organization. A leadership position is a powerful designation as it has the strength of bringing a substantial change.
Gone are the days when people had a belief that leaders are born, and those who did not have the skills cannot develop them through learning or practice. The new times have proved that through confidence, the right direction, and guidance, one can become a leader and navigate the team towards success. Depending on the group and objective, leaders can be of different types. A small scale business can flourish and meet its purpose under efficient leadership. In contrast, an extensive firm may suffer a significant loss due to its leaders’ ineffective skills.
Leadership roles in different categories have various demands. Below we are giving an inclusive guide on the types of leadership and their job demands:
1. AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP
Commonly referred to as authoritarian leadership, autocratic leaders feel they are the most passionate about the company’s goal, and the staff does not share the same enthusiasm. These leaders keep the reins in their hands as they do not easily trust their group members. Autocratic leaders make decisions without consulting others or have a small group of people they find reliable. They expect their group members to do as leaders’ instructions. Generally, They do not allow team members to modify their commands. Autocratic leaders are self-motivated; they deliver visions articulately. They tend to ensure that the work environment is in proper structure. An organization having strict guidelines can benefit from authoritarian leaders.
Leadership skills are easy to learn, but you need to be consistent and put in your earnest efforts. Various higher educational institutes are now offering online Masters in Management and Leadership programs so that the working individuals can enroll themselves. Implementation of theories become inevitable when the role is dynamic and equally demanding.
2. VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Visionary leaders have the power to drive staff by earning their trust and sharing the organization’s goal and vision. These leaders have their eyes on the result, and they do not shy away from putting whatever it takes to reach the goal. These leaders have the drive, but sometimes they lack the patience to achieve results as they want to see the results in a shorter duration. Some visionary leaders focus on the big picture and neglect the company’s setbacks to attain it. Such leaders exhibit a bold, optimistic, and strategic response. They do not shy away from going out of the way to achieve their targets.
3. TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP
The typical leadership style in today’s world is transactional leadership. These leaders micromanage, value corporate culture, and are practical and reactionary. Transactional leaders announce incentives or monetary rewards and use them as a motivation factor. When a marketing team exceeds the predicted number of leads, transactional leadership rewards them with a bonus. Transactional leaders precisely intimate a new entrant about the rewards of achieving or exceeding an objective.
On the other hand, these leaders also tell the consequences of not achieving the target. Supposedly, your leader asks you to stay late and work for extra hours because you could not deliver. In that case, he is demonstrating transactional leadership qualities.
4. DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP
Another name for democratic leadership is participative leadership. It is a combination of laissez-faire and autocratic leadership characteristics. Democratic leaders encourage discussion, foster participation, and look forward to seeing different creative tactics. These leaders decide upon the majority votes and involve each member in various matters. Democratic leadership gives members a sense of ownership and inclusiveness, as even the lower-level employees feel that their input matters. The leadership style takes longer than other leadership techniques as they organize group discussions, gather ideas, and obtain feedback. Their role requires them to be lenient and open-minded to listen to a wide array of perspectives.
5. COACHING LEADERSHIP
As the name implies, the coach is the one who identifies the strengths of individuals and nurtures their areas of improvement. They strategize smartly and devise new techniques for team bonding and foster team collaboration. The leadership style helps team members work together and rely on each other. Coach leaders clearcut state their expectations, recognize team members’ strengths and motivate them to enhance productivity. Coaching leaders are supportive, self-aware, and do not issue commands; instead, they offer guidance. These leaders improve performance and train subordinates effectively. Coaching leaders are patient. They realize that the team has to work hard with consistency for results and not achieve them overnight.
6. LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP
Often referred to as hands-off leadership is the complete opposite of autocratic leadership. Laissez-faire leaders delegate tasks to the organization’s staff members and offer little to no guidance. They do not micromanage and believe in giving a free-hand to the employees to some extent. Generally, managers adopt this leadership style when their staff is highly skilled, experienced, and well-trained. Laissez-faire leaders are the ones who delegate effectively, are ready to take control when needed, and believe in giving freedom of expression to team members. Their job demands them to be unbiased, and they provide team members with constructive criticism. Laissez-faire leadership believes in achieving goals without giving commands and interfering in employees’ matters.
7. CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP
Charismatic leadership is more about leaders and the aura they exhibit. Charismatic leaders inspire others so that the staff works more effectively, and consequently, the company reaps benefits. These leaders have magnetic personalities and strong convictions to meet the objectives. Their charisma helps in bringing people on one-page and motivates them to achieve a target. Charismatic leaders inspire, energize, and motivate people to work under their supervision. Their job demands that they are self-aware, possess a drive to encourage others, and use their aura effectively.
CONCLUSION
Leadership is not a new phenomenon, but in the modern world, its paradigm has changed. Not everyone is born a leader, but practicing leadership qualities in daily life enhances one’s personality and reinforces leadership characteristics. Leadership types vary, and every style has unique demands. Still, each style’s idea is the same: to influence people and motivate them to work for a shared goal.