Leadership Styles in Management — What Style Are You?

All teams need a great leader but they are few and far between, requiring qualities that are not necessarily easily trained or learned. A great leader is absolutely crucial to the success of any team and their impact often goes under the radar.

There are various leadership styles that you should be aware of and, today, we'll be taking a look at the differences, as well as the skills you need to be an effective leader.

What Is A Leadership Style?

Although somewhat self-explanatory, a leadership style is a way in which you conduct yourself when leading an employee, team or company. There are several ways to lead, so some dynamic leadership styles in management may be more suited to one individual than another. It’s important to find a style that works for you and the team you’re leading.

Why is a leadership style important?

A leadership style in management is a key thing to understand because it'll dictate how you conduct yourself when leading, ranging from how you communicate with others to the way in which you want to be perceived. While there is no single best leadership style in management, you should spend some time finding which leadership style is for you as it'll certainly impact your future success.

Types of Leadership Styles

There are many different styles of leadership in management and no one way is the best. What you often have to do is see which is a good fit for you as your personality will affect the style that comes much more naturally. You also need to understand what style your team will respond best to. That being said, the best leadership styles in management are the ones that get the strongest results for all parties.

Here, we’ve listed five of the best leadership styles in management, exploring the traits most closely aligned with each one and how to tell if it’s a good fit for you.

1. Authoritarian leadership

Also known as an autocratic leadership, this style is signified by a leader who makes decisions alone, without the input of others. They are confident decision-makers who can decide on an action quickly, making them good leaders when the pressure is on — and people need a leader who can take action. To get the team onboard with this leadership style, it's important to be open to feedback and offers of help.

2. Participative leadership

A participative or democratic leadership style is recognisable because it's one of the more common, and popular, leadership styles. Leaders that fit into this style will value the opinions of those around them and are open to suggestions and getting everyone involved. While this is great news to foster a collaborative workspace, the downside is that some decisions can take longer to make.

3. Delegative leadership

A delegative or laissez-faire leadership style is one in which leaders prioritise the autonomy of their employees, giving them the freedom they need to make decisions about their working schedules and involvement. This can include granting flexible working and hybrid working arrangements to get the most out of the people they lead.

4. Transactional leadership

A transactional or managerial leadership style is a classic one that is common in many workplaces, where targets and goals are set. This leadership style is somewhat rigid and has little consideration for individual development, prioritising compliance and reliable results that ensure stability. While this leadership style may not inspire everyone, it can be an effective approach for those who need stability and a clear sense of direction.

5. Transformational leadership

A transactional or visionary leadership style is less commonly seen but can be recognised by a leader's attempts to unite the workforce behind a single goal, using a variety of strategies to get the most out of their employees. Transformational leaders can be great at invigorate workers, helping them feel empowered and enabling positive results for all parties.

Developing Your Leadership Style

There are many different ways in which you can develop your leadership style, often using previous experience to shape the approach that works best for you. When working in the office, being able to lead from the front is a strong quality and is one that many employees respond well to, according to a Harvard Business Review study. It can take time to find the best leadership style for you, but practice makes perfect!

You’ll naturally progress and develop your own personal style as you respond to your team, so don’t be alarmed if you feel nervous taking the step up to a more managerial level. Take your time, and remember these key things to keep you on the right path.

Communication

Communication is a key skill to develop if you want to become a great leader. Being able to speak and connect with team members means that everyone can be on the same page and you'll be able to worry less about potential miscommunication. This is especially important when you consider the rise in hybrid working, as you may not get as much one-on-one time with your team.

Implement regular check-ins, as a team and individually, and take the time to get to know them and foster an open and honest relationship with them. If they run into any problems, they need to know you’re there to help and support.

Focus time

Leaders need to be able to focus on what they do and having a productive environment around them is a central part of this. One thing that could be beneficial here is adopting activity-based working in your workplace, designating specific areas of the office that support the nature of the tasks your team do.

Create collaborative zones for creative thinking and working together, which can also allow your team to grow closer together. Or, when deeper focus is required, private workspaces provide the ideal area to focus on the task at hand, and avoid getting distracted easily. Giving your team the freedom to pick and choose where to work can boost productivity and employee retention.

Confidence

No matter the leadership style, a good leader must be confident and be able to stick with the decisions they make, as long as they truly believe that it's the correct action. This can also be manifested in having confidence in your team to make their own decisions for a project, or even if they don’t agree with you. Being confident in yourself can instil a level of confidence in your team, leading to a respectful working environment.

Flexibility

A good leader is flexible and accommodating to the needs of your team — as long as it doesn't come to the detriment of productivity or the well-being of others. Anything can happen and, in the event of an emergency, a good leader needs to think fast, keeping the health and happiness of the team as a priority. Being able to adjust deadlines, tasks and priority lists is crucial, and being able to accommodate the needs of your team.

Introducing flexible working with a flexi-time policy can help with this, giving your team the chance to pick their start and end times — outside of your core office hours, of course.

Transparency

A good leader should be able to be open and honest with the people they lead, which is a central aspect of the many leadership styles in management. If somebody is underperforming, they should be able to have open and honest conversations with their supervisor and know that they'll be told the truth. This isn't easy... but it's vital for any leader.

Determination

In order to achieve your goals and encourage that same level of inspiration in others, you need to be determined. It's easy to lose sight of your end goal and become complacent — this can have a trickle-down effect on your team and result in overall productivity being harmed. Focus on your goals and remain accountable for your whole team to work towards them.

Management Styles in Stylish Office Spaces

Having a distinct and recognisable leadership style sets you up for success, making sure that those below you know what to expect from you and what you will expect from them. This is made infinitely easier with the right office space for your team to collaborate in. Get in touch with Knight Frank advisors, who will help you find the space that’s best suited to the needs of your business and team.

Get in touch with Knight Frank advisors, who will help you find the space that’s best suited to the needs of your business and team.