Types of Leadership Styles
There are various types of leadership styles, their use largely dependent upon the internal make-up of the leaders, themselves.
One charted to be a leader, wanting to be successful, must first come to grips with their personal views of the people who they will be called upon to lead.
Do they trust these people to mostly “lead themselves”, or do they feel that people must be “pushed” to conduct themselves productively?
Those leaders inclined to believe that people are basically lazy, and must be constantly watched over, and forced to work; are following the Theory X Motivational Theory.
Conversely, those inclined to believe that adults at work will follow the same mature, reasonable approach towards being productive as they do in their private lives (IF THEY’RE ALLOWED TO!), ascribe to the Theory Y school of thought.
Theory X Leaders love to use an autocratic (dare I say controlling and Bossy?) style of leadership; riding herd on the unfortunate souls below them, in the company’s hierarchy.
Theory Y leaders have a few styles that they usually operate in; most notably, participating, delegating, supporting and coaching.
If you’re a Theory Y guy or gal Leader; do yourself a favor and read-up on one of the most successful Theory Y, Participative leaders of today – Ricardo Semler, down in Brazil. There’s a great Oct 1989 Harvard Business Review article, plus various follow-up articles on him, in the general Press.
Lead, don’t Impede!
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