If you manage a team, you probably have a go-to leadership style. Maybe you like to take a hands-on approach, offering regular guidance and support. Perhaps you prefer to foster collaboration, making sure to include different voices in the conversation. 

Lisa Jasper, the director, performance improvement for Insperity, says there’s no right or wrong leadership style. Some situations call for one form of leadership, while other circumstances require another.

She says that different leadership styles fall into five basic categories, and that every leader should learn to adapt their style to the situation at hand. What are these styles and when should you use them? We share Jasper’s thoughts in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

  1. Authoritative leadership. Every team needs strong direction. When you need to make quick decisions, this can be the best approach. It allows you to identify the challenges ahead and help guide your team toward a common goal, Jasper says. Just make sure you balance authoritative decisions with opportunities for team input so your team stays motivated despite top-down directives.

  2. Coaching leadership. When staff members are ready to learn and grow, turn to this leadership style. It emphasizes long-term personal development as well as job-related skills. Jasper recommends using this style if you’re facing challenges around upskilling or reskilling or your team members are learning a new CRM tool or process.

  3. Coercive leadership. This is the most forceful type of leadership style, and it should only be used sparingly. For example, if the building is on fire or there’s an impending disaster, go ahead and use this “do what I tell you right now” approach. Jasper says if you use this type of leadership in other situations, you could stifle creativity and enthusiasm.

  4. Democratic leadership. With this leadership style, everyone has a seat at the table and all voices are welcome. Democratic leaders let their team have input in decisions and share their ideas. Jasper says they then synthesize all the available information to make the best possible decision. Because this style of leadership is flexible, it’s best applied in changing situations.

  5. Pacesetting leadership. According to Jasper, pacesetting leaders often set high expectations and require fast results. It’s most effective when the team is already motivated and skilled at their jobs. Just be careful about using it too much or you risk burning out your team or suppressing new ideas.

When it comes to leading your team well, there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. Stay flexible and learn to use different styles depending on the circumstances. With some practice, you’ll refine your own personal leadership style to bring out the best in your team.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Lisa Jasper, MBA is the director, performance improvement for Insperity. She has more than 20 years of experience helping improve human performance.