CORPORATE LEADERSHIP STYLES

There are a lot of leadership styles and methods with variations and cross-
implementation of the various leadership styles based on individual preferences but
in this document, we will look at 12 broad styles of leadership and attempt to define
them according to implementation in corporate environments.

According to Research by Asaecenter©, “a leadership style is the way a person uses

power to lead other people.” (“12 Different Types of Leadership Styles - Business
and Lifestyle ...”) In other words, the power being wielded may be due to his
personality or the influence accorded him by an executive or other managerial
position within the corporate structure.

Leadership is different from management although older definitions sometimes

interchanged them, this is because not all managers can be leaders, but all leaders
must have managerial skills.

The following will outline and attempt to explain the 12 types of Leadership skills
commonly seen in organizations and corporate structures based broadly on the
number of followers, the function of the leader, and in some cases the situation
surrounding it.

1. Autocratic Leadership

The autocratic leadership style is centered on the boss. In this leadership method,
the leader holds all authority and responsibility. In this leadership, leaders make
decisions without consulting subordinates, they reach decisions, communicate them
to subordinates, and expect immediate implementation. (“Autocratic Leadership -
CIO Wiki”) Autocratic work environments in general normally have little or no
flexibility.

In this kind of leadership, guidelines, procedures, and policies are all natural
additions/extensions of the autocratic leader. Statistically, there are very few
situations/institutions that can support autocratic leadership.

Some of the leaders that support this kind of leadership include Albert J. Dunlap
(Sunbeam Corporation) and Donald Trump (Trump Organization) among others.
 2. Democratic Leadership

Subordinates are involved in making decisions in this leadership style. Unlike in the
autocratic style, this type of leadership is centered on subordinates’ contributions.
The democratic leader holds final responsibility, but he or she is known to delegate
authority to other people, who determine work projects. The most distinctive
characteristic of this leadership is that communication is active upward and
downward. With respect to statistics, democratic leadership is one of the preferred
leadership styles, and it entails the following: fairness, competence, creativity,
courage, intelligence, and honesty.

3. Strategic Leadership Style

Strategic leadership involves a leader who is essentially the head of an organization.

The strategic leader is not limited to those who are at the forefront of the
organization. It is geared to a larger audience at all levels who desire to create a high-
performance life, team, or organization.

The strategic leader addresses the gap between the need for new possibilities and
the need for practicality by introducing a prescriptive set of habits.

Effective strategic leadership delivers the benefits in terms of what an organization

usually expects from its leadership in times of change.

55% of this leadership normally involves strategic thinking.

4. Transformational Leadership

Unlike other leadership styles, transformational leadership is all about initiating

changes in organizations, groups, individuals, and others. Transformational leaders
motivate individuals to do more than they initially intended and often more than
they thought possible. They prioritized more challenging expectations and typically
achieved higher performance.

Statistically, transformational leadership tends to have more engaged and satisfied

followers. This is mainly because transformational leaders empower followers.
 5. Team Leadership

Team leadership involves the creation of a captivating picture of the organization's

future, where it is headed, and what it will be like. The vision inspires and offers a
strong sense of purpose and direction. Team leadership is about collaborating with
the hearts and minds of all individuals involved. It asserts that teamwork may not
always involve trusting cooperative relationships. The most challenging aspect of
this leadership is whether or not it will succeed. According to Harvard Business
Review, “team leadership may fail because of poor leadership qualities.” (“12
Different Types of Leadership Styles - Business and Lifestyle ...”)

6. Cross-Cultural Leadership

This form of leadership normally exists where there are various cultures in society
or corporate organizations/structures. This leadership has also metamorphosed into
a way to recognize front runners who work in the contemporary globalized market.
Organizations, particularly internationally, require leaders who can effectively adjust
their leadership to work in different situations. Most of the leadership styles
observed in most organizations across the United States are cross-cultural because
of the different cultures that live and work there.

7. Facilitative Leadership

Facilitative leadership is too dependent on measurements and outcomes – which

while not being a skill, requires a lot of skill to master. The effectiveness of a group
is directly linked to the effectiveness of its process. If the group is highly functioning,
the facilitative leader uses a light hand in the process control systems.

However, if the group is not functioning properly, the facilitator will be more involved
by granting more directives to assist the group in its process. Facilitative leadership
involves monitoring group dynamics and providing process suggestions and
interventions to assist the group in remaining on track.

8. Laissez-faire Leadership
Laissez-faire leadership grants authority to employees. According to Azcentral©,
departments or subordinates are allowed to work as they choose with minimal or no
interference. According to research, this kind of leadership has been consistently
found to be the least satisfying and least effective management style. (“12 Different
Types of Leadership Styles - Business and Lifestyle ...”)

9. Transactional Leadership

This is a leadership style that maintains or persists in the status quo. It is also the
leadership style that involves an exchange process, whereby followers receive
immediate, tangible rewards for executing the leader's orders. Transactional
leadership can be quite basic, with its emphasis on exchange. In some cases, it can
lead to discontent in the workplace and unsatisfied followers.

Being clear, focusing on expectations, and giving feedback are all essential
leadership skills. According to Boundless.com©, transactional leadership behaviors
can include clarifying what is expected of followers’ performance; explaining how to
meet such expectations; and allocating rewards that are contingent on meeting
objectives. (“Type of leadership | PPT - SlideShare”) (“Type of leadership | PPT -
SlideShare”) Some schools of thought see this as a variation of the “Autocratic
Leadership style”.

10. Coaching Leadership

Coaching leadership involves teaching and overseeing individuals. A coaching leader

is highly effective in a situation where results/ performance require improvement. In
this kind of leadership, followers are encouraged to improve their abilities. Coaching
does the following: motivates followers, motivates followers, and encourages
followers.

11. Charismatic Leadership

In this leadership, the charismatic leader displays his or her revolutionary abilities.
Charisma does not mean a drastic behavior change. It is simply a transformation of
followers' values and beliefs. Therefore, this distinguishes a charismatic leader from
a simply populist leader who may affect attitudes towards specific objects, but who
is not prepared as the charismatic leader is, to transform the underlying normative
orientation that structures specific attitudes.

12. Visionary Leadership

This type of leadership involves individuals who recognize that the methods, actions,
and processes of leadership are all acquired by and through individuals. Most great
and successful leaders are visionary leaders with their ability to share and encourage
their followers to live the vision in them.

However, those who are highly visionary are the ones who exhibit visionary
leadership. Outstanding leaders will always transform their visions into realities.

Enefaa Orubibi

4-Oct-2023

Citations

. (“12 Different Types of Leadership Styles - Business and Lifestyle ...”)