A Look at Various Leadership Styles

There has been debate over what constitutes a leader so there is no wonder that the styles of leaders vary. Leaders must be able to motivate, mentor, coach and inspire others to reach organizational goals. Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people (Medina, 2011). All leaders of effective groups have four characteristics in common. First, they provide direction and meaning to the people they are leading and are responsible for keeping team members aware of important stated goals and objectives (Howard, 2005). Second, they generate trust by acting in an honest manner that creates an environment of trust (Howard, 2005). Third, they prefer action and risk taking and are willing to operate outside of the norm (Howard, 2005). Lastly, they are communicators of hope by using effective communication skills, leaders encourage others to believe that the expected behavior will result in successful realization of stated goal (Howard, 2005). A leader can be effective or ineffective depending on the situation because a leader's style is based on personality. My leadership style consists of servant-leader, transactional and transformational leadership. As a devout Christian, I was astonished that many of the servant-leadership character traits are easily defined in Christianity’s stewardship. I incorporate each of these styles in my daily interactions with my direct reports.

Leadership is complex so you must use a variety of styles because the people that you lead have different styles of learning, understanding and performing. You can not succeed in leadership if you are not willing to change your behavior style as warranted. Changing your behavior style will also enable you t...

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...t will be heard. As a transactional leader you must be stern in your commitment to achieving the goals of your company while using motivational tools get your direct reports to achieve those goals. For leadership to be effective, followers must be able to rely on their leaders and vice versa. There must be a mutual level of trust and both parties must take responsibility for the cohesiveness of the relationship. Leaders who create feelings of significance, community and excitement produce followers who are willing to support the goals that they set; it is my constant goal to become that type of leader.

Works Cited

Howard, W. C. (2005). Leadership: Four styles. Education, 126(2), 384-391. from EBSCOhost.

Medina, M. (2011). Leadership and the process of becoming. Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 22(1), 70-82. from EBSCOhost.