You have heard the phrase,
To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
Well this is how it applies to leadership. If you have just one tool (i.e. leadership style) in your tool kit, you'll default to using this even when the situation demands a different approach and the results will be sub-optimal.
It's kind of like trying to saw a plank of wood with a kitchen knife, or put up a shelf with a spanner. You get the picture.
To a man with a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
Well this is how it applies to leadership. If you have just one tool (i.e. leadership style) in your tool kit, you'll default to using this even when the situation demands a different approach and the results will be sub-optimal.
It's kind of like trying to saw a plank of wood with a kitchen knife, or put up a shelf with a spanner. You get the picture.
Why Bother?
You are happy with your leadership style and it has worked for you so far, so why change? Well you might be happy with it, but are your followers? Remember there are two parts to this leadership game: you and your followers. If you don't engage your followers, they will disengage from you. Sure you will still be in charge and yes they will do what you say because they are paid to, but you will be their boss, not their leader. To be a leader you need followers.
What Do Great Leaders Do?
Great leaders develop an agility and deftness in flexing their behaviours and leadership styles to match the circumstances and the people they are dealing with. Each leadership style has its own unique application and behaviours. This is called situational leadership. But here is the rub, whilst it's simple to understand, it's really tough to achieve, because our brains by their nature, default to their natural preference or style, leaving you with an incomplete tool set.
What is Your Leadership Style?
Well the accepted wisdom in this space, in this case Daniel Goleman, is that there are six types of leadership behaviours, Commanding, Visionary, Pacesetting, Democratic, Affiliative and Coaching. Perhaps there are one or two styles here that immediately chime with you? Your default mode.
The theory is, you use these styles at different times depending on what outcome you want to achieve. So for example if you have just taken over a department that is under-performing, a commanding style may be needed to get it back on track, or if you have been put in charge of a business transformation a combination of visionary and coaching styles would be more effective.
The theory is, you use these styles at different times depending on what outcome you want to achieve. So for example if you have just taken over a department that is under-performing, a commanding style may be needed to get it back on track, or if you have been put in charge of a business transformation a combination of visionary and coaching styles would be more effective.
How do I get started?
The first step is understand what your default style(s) are, then either on your own, or with the support of your coach, find ways to practice and perfect these leadership styles to increase your agility and capability as a leader.
To get you started here here is an infographic, we made for you, on three of the six leadership styles. The commanding, visionary and pacesetting styles. Do you recognise yourself?
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