Sounds like a rather lazy interview question that we have all been asked at some stage … or worse, that we have asked others!
Why is it such a trite question? Because we ALL use different styles in different contexts …. albeit not always as skillfully or appropriately as we might like, at times.
Very helpfully and clearly Daniel Goleman has identified six leadership styles springing from different aspects of emotional intelligence.
Each style has a different impact on the culture and results of an organisation. The best leaders do not rely on just one or two styles. Just as a golfer is proficient with a selection of clubs, the most effective leaders switch flexibly between the styles as needed by the situation. The best leaders may use all six leadership styles effectively within a single meeting.
The challenge is that some of the styles will be quite foreign to your personality. And it takes courage to step out of your comfort zone.
The best leaders adjust their styles to get the best results. Look at the Board Table below and work out where you most frequently sit.
In a crisis, or to kickstart a turnaround, the coercive style may come into play. In most other situations, or used as a dominant style, it will have negative effects.
Continue reading “What is your leadership style?”
