Leadership Styles

 As a part of my classes I get to work not just on Adult Learning but also Leadership. I commonly have to work on material dealing with Leadership. Here's the most reason info sheet that I worked on for our Leadership classes.

HAS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE EVOLVED OR STAYED THE SAME?

In the class I teach on Foundational Leadership we spend a lot of time focusing on Leadership Styles. We ask the class to segment themselves out into the type of leadership style. I wonder if anyone reading this has changed their style of leadership since taking our class.

DIRECTING type managers usually establish clear goals and objectives for work and staff, although staff members usually have some flexibility on how to meet the goals. Directing style managers usually provide:

• Clear timelines and priorities
• Tells what the job should look like

COACHING involves a great deal of "hands-on" involvement in employee's work process. As a rule, a coaching approach works best when the employee shows weaknesses that need improvement. For coaching to be effective, the employee must acknowledge those weaknesses and indicate a desire to improve. Managers who use Coaching usually provide: 

• Perspective and feedback
• Assurance that mistakes are okay

SUPPORTING leaders play more of a motivational role. The main function is to attempt to instill confidence in employees so they eventually become more self-sufficient and productive. This style typically involves the assigning of tasks by the manager while providing support as needed. Supporting leaders provide:

• An approachable mentor
• A sounding board for problems

DELEGATING leaders place responsibility on the shoulders of their employees. They provide guidance, but only when needed or requested by the employees, and serves in more of a consultant capacity. This style is most effective with an experienced staff. Delegating leaders usually provide: 

• Variety and challenge
• Trust

EVOLVING LEADERSHIP

In general leaders should track their employees along the path shown in the figure below. Employees should move from needing high directive (Directing Style) up to high supporting needs (Coaching Style) to needing low direction (Supporting Style) to being highly competent (Delegating Style). The pathway to success for your teams and your employees is along that route.