Effective Leadership Styles

Let's discuss some effective leadership styles. There are many types of leadership and many different leadership styles, but not all these styles are effective in every situation. Some are never effective. By understanding these different styles of leadership, you are more likely to incorporate them into your own personal style and be more effective in various situations.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

Have you ever had someone over you, a boss or mentor, who just inspired you to be a better person and reach your full potential? If you did, you were very fortunate to have this type of mentor in your life.

Here are some examples of very effective leadership styles - styles I believe to be crucial for the true leader who wants to positively impact his or her team or organization:

Principle-Centered or Principled Leadership

Just like it sounds - leadership that is centered on principles. This effective leadership style is a byproduct of a life founded on high moral and ethical standards. Men and women of character who have high standards of honesty and integrity have a great basis on which to build their leadership skills.

This is probably one of the most effective styles of leadership. Your team wants to know that you're willing to go before them. If you're not willing to do what you're asking them to do, you're not a true leader. If you are willing to be an example, your people will follow and gain courage from your example.

Proactive Leader

In this type of leadership, you don't wait till the last minute to get the job done. This results in less stress because you're not constantly working off of time deadlines and also frees you up to get other things done. The proactive leader also takes care of problems before they arise.

Servant Leadership

A servant leader is willing to go the extra mile for those under his/her charge. This type of leader doesn't always think they are right but is willing to get input from others and yet mentor them in areas where they are weak. This type of leader doesn't just sit back and bark orders but gets in, much like the one who leads by example, and gets dirty alongside the rest of them.

Ineffective Leadership Styles

Here are a couple types of leadership that tend to be ineffective:

Autocratic

The autocratic leader is a dictator of sorts. This person is in charge and likes to show everybody "who's boss." This type of leader does not involve others in the decisions that are made and may often resort to threats or manipulation to get to the desired goal.

Positional

Positional leaders are leaders only because they're the "boss." They aren't true leaders, and no one naturally wants to "follow" them, but they follow because they have to. A true leader will "coach" while a boss or positional leader will "tell."