Leadership is an evolving trait.

For many of us, our journey into leadership begins as followers. We start our careers under the guidance and direction of others, learning from their leadership styles and approaches. This initial phase allows us to absorb knowledge and gain experience. 

Like everyone, I started my career under a leader, then I learnt to lead myself, then I led projects. As our leadership journey continues, we find ourselves in roles where we lead others. This transition is significant because it’s not just about managing tasks; it’s about inspiring and guiding individuals. We start to understand that leadership is not solely about getting the job done but also about fostering growth and motivation in our team members. As I learnt more along the the way, I started leading people, then led teams and now I lead organization. 

What makes leadership truly dynamic is its situational nature.  Through this time, I have observed various types of leaders and the same leader showing various styles of leadership depending on the situation. I have come to know that, leadership styles are not a one-size-fits-all. 

Just as a carpenter selects the right tool for the job, leaders choose the most suitable style for the situation.

Here are three different leadership styles that can be done to achieve different outcomes.

1. Leading by Example

Like being a role model, you set high standards for yourself and inspire your team by demonstrating how things should be done. This style is great for motivating and inspiring your team to follow your lead.

2. Democratic Leadership

This can be done by encouraging your team members to provide their input and collaborate in decision-making. This approach fosters inclusivity and often leads to better group decisions.

3. Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership is all about making quick and decisive decisions. Here, the leader takes charge and makes choices without seeking much input from the team. This style can be efficient in situations where swift action is necessary.

Consider what styles you often wear and understand what works and what doesn’t, not just for you but for people around you. Creating a map of your styles will give you a better awareness of which to use when and it will come in handy when one style doesn’t work and you have to rely on another.

The situation you are in, the people you are with and the goal you are going toward will influence your style and it changes based on all of the above. One style doesn’t solve all cases. As leaders, we have various personas, and we define them accordingly to get things done.

In conclusion, leadership is a journey of growth and adaptation. It evolves as we move from being led to leading ourselves, projects, people, teams, and organizations. Recognizing the dynamic and situational nature of leadership and building a diverse toolkit of leadership styles is key to becoming a successful and effective leader. 

So what are your styles?