We all have our preferred leadership styles and may gravitate towards a particular style. Some people prefer not to delegate and to do it all themselves. However, that does limit what we can achieve. If we can work effectively in a team, then there are rewards to be had.
The teams that we lead will be different in terms of competence, confidence, willingness etc. So different teams will need different leadership styles. This is referred to as situational leadership.
Below is a brief description of different leadership styles and where they may be appropriate:
Directive
Here there is a lower level of relationship between leader and team and a higher level of task guidance.
The team members are:
• Lacking skill and experience
• Unwilling
• Lack confidence
In this situation the leaders:
• Give specific instructions, rules, policies
• Set the goals
• Assert authority
• Discourage initiative
• Stand above the team
• Make the decisions
Consultative
Here there is a higher level of relationship between leader and team and a higher level of task guidance.
The team members are:
• Lacking skill and experience
• Willing
• Too confident
In this situation the leaders:
• Ask questions
• Advise
• Watch for problems or issues
• Provide oversight
• Encourage
• Stand within the team
• Listen to everyone’s’ input but at the conclusion make the decisions
Facilitative
Here there is a higher level of relationship between leader and team and a lower level of task guidance.
The team members are:
• Skilled
• Willing
• Lack Confidence
In this situation the leaders:
• Align people in the same direction, towards a shared goal
• Ask questions
• Facilitate discussion
• Encourage participation
• Build relationship and rapport (consider enneagram)
• Allow decisions to be made as a group
• Stand on the edge or perimeter of the team
• Let the team make the decisions
Delegative
Here there is a lower level of relationship between leader and team and a lower level of task guidance.
The team members are:
• Skilled
• Willing
• Confident
In this situation the leaders:
• Trust the team to do it
• Delegate initiative
• Provide only minimal oversight
• Stand outside the team
• Let the team make the decisions