Working in Human Resources for many years, Marshall Alston has experience interacting with a diverse group of leaders from different backgrounds with different leadership styles.
The business world is filled with such a wide and diverse range of people, holding different perspectives, beliefs, backgrounds, experiences, character traits, etc. Speaking generally, leadership is all about providing direction, implementing, plans, and motivating people. It is about providing your team the resources and tools they need to succeed and excel in the most efficient way possible, making a great impact on the company as a whole as well as the individual employees. In order to reach success as a leader, there are multiple different paths one can take.
Throughout his career, Marshall Alston has observed many different leadership styles, taking note of which ones worked best in specific situations. Below, he lists some of the most common leadership styles he has seen in all aspects of the business world from HR and beyond.
The Authoritative Leader
This individual guides the team’s vision as a mass focus of end goals. These leaders work best with entrepreneurial spirits nonetheless this leader won’t succeed with a group that already is more knowledgeable than him or her.
The Affiliative Leader
This leader or instructor guides the team towards achievement by building emotional bonds. This is often after a traumatization such as mass layoffs. This style is best used when a whole team is involved rather that only certain individuals. Certain individuals could take this style as being treated special and cause a lack of performance and direction.
The Democratic Leader
Lastly one other leadership style is the democratic leader. This leader builds an equal and fair compromise through team participation. This style works great for team voting, cumulative decisions, and creating ownership with goals or ideas from all qualified participants.
The Bottom Line
Whether a leader is using one example from above or all, Marshall Alston has found having the capability to be flexible when guiding a team into success is fundamental. One quarter, a leader can choose one style and the next season choose another. Whichever works and fits is going to make or break group achievement. Having a well prepared tool kit is essential and evermore having the understanding of using which tool or style is a must for any leader! Leaders will naturally and always learn from their failures and adapt their styles to mesh with other approaches for future success. Those who guide others will always ask themselves, “what will we accomplish today!”
Which type of business leader do you find yourself to be? Have you seen these particular styles in a business setting?Which do you find most effective? Interact with Marshall Alston on social media to get the conversation going!
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