Leadership Styles… Finding What Works for You

Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every leader brings their own unique strengths, values, and experiences to the table, shaping how they guide and inspire others. For women stepping into leadership roles, understanding different leadership styles can be empowering—it allows you to discover what feels authentic and effective for you.

Common Leadership Styles

Here are a few widely recognized leadership styles and their key traits:

1. Transformational Leadership

   • Focus: Inspiring change and innovation.

   • Traits: Visionary, motivational, fosters a sense of purpose.

   • Works Well For: Leaders who want to inspire and empower teams to think big and achieve ambitious goals.

2. Servant Leadership

   • Focus: Prioritizing the needs of the team and organization.

   • Traits: Empathetic, nurturing, and community-focused.

   • Works Well For: Leaders who value collaboration and want to create a supportive, inclusive environment.

3. Democratic Leadership

   • Focus: Encouraging input and participation from team members.

   • Traits: Open-minded, collaborative, consensus-driven.

   • Works Well For: Leaders who believe in shared decision-making and team empowerment.

4. Autocratic Leadership

   • Focus: Direct control and decision-making.

   • Traits: Decisive, authoritative, structured.

   • Works Well For: Situations that require quick, clear decisions or strong guidance.

5. Laissez-Faire Leadership

   • Focus: Trusting team members to take initiative and make decisions.

   • Traits: Hands-off, empowering, adaptable.

   • Works Well For: Teams with high expertise and self-motivation.

6. Charismatic Leadership

   • Focus: Inspiring through personal charm and energy.

   • Traits: Engaging, enthusiastic, emotionally compelling.

   • Works Well For: Leaders who naturally draw people to their vision and thrive on interpersonal connection.

How to Discover Your Leadership Style

Finding your authentic leadership style involves self-reflection, exploration, and growth. Here’s how to start:

1. Know Your Strengths

   • Reflect on your strengths and how you naturally approach challenges. Are you a visionary thinker? A supportive mentor? A decisive problem solver?

2. Understand Your Values

   • Your leadership style should align with your core values. If inclusion and collaboration matter most to you, a democratic or servant leadership style may resonate.

3. Learn from Others

   • Observe and learn from leaders you admire. What traits do they embody that inspire you?

4. Adapt and Evolve

   • Great leaders are flexible. While you may gravitate toward one style, being able to adapt your approach to different situations is key to success.

5. Seek Feedback

   • Ask colleagues, mentors, or peers how they perceive your leadership style. Constructive feedback can help you grow and refine your approach.

The Bottom Line

There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to lead—what matters most is finding a style that feels authentic to you and brings out the best in those you lead. Leadership is a journey of self-discovery, and as you grow, your style may evolve to reflect new insights and experiences.

Embrace the process, trust your instincts, and lead in a way that feels true to who you are. Because when you lead authentically, you inspire others to do the same.