20 Leadership Styles in 2023

What are the different leadership styles?

Imagine the boss you admire the most. What exactly do you like about their style of leadership? Is the Democratic Leadership style the best leadership style or is it one of the other leadership styles? Is it possible for you to imitate these characteristics?

When we consider different types of leaders and leader types, it’s easy to divide them into two categories: good and bad. However, this basic leadership assessment is no longer the case today.

Why should I know these leadership styles?

There are numerous leadership roles and leadership styles out there. Your character and how you want to lead your team will help you decide which is the best leadership style to use. It is possible to choose to be a good leader. Even in the most challenging situations, they accept responsibility for their actions.

Studying the various different leadership styles is essential so one can effortlessly choose their own leadership style based on the situation and the nature of the followers involved. Here we have identified the top 20 leadership styles for 2022.

In this article, we’ll take a look at 20 of the most common leadership styles in business today. We’ll explore what each style entails, along with its key benefits and drawbacks. By the end, you should have a good understanding of which style (or styles) best fit your own personality and goals.

1. Autocratic Leadership (The Boss)

Autocratic leadership is a system of leadership in which one clearly defined “leader” at the top who has most, if not all, control over workload and responsibility distribution.1

An Autocratic leader is one who rules with an iron fist, making all the decisions and dictating what should be done. This leadership style focuses type of leader can be successful in certain situations, but often times their methods are met with resistance.

It is an individual’s control over actions that affect a group with little to no input from members of the group themselves. Autocratic leaders find this leadership style is only effective in organizations where the nature of the work necessitates quick decisions.2

2. Democratic Leadership (All Inclusive)

Democratic leadership style is an open leadership style that involves all of the group’s members in decision-making. It can be applied to any organization, from a private company to a school or the government.1 Democratic leaders also understands the importance of compromise and working together towards a common goal.

Democratic leadership style is a style of leadership that encourages everyone in the group to have a say in the decision-making process. This type of leader values input from others and believes that collective wisdom is usually better than the opinion of any single individual. The Democratic leader typically create an open and inclusive environment, where people feel free to share their ideas.

This leadership style is regarded as one of the most effective for executives and can provide numerous benefits.2

3. Charismatic Leadership (Motivational)

It is a style of leadership that blends charisma, personal and social connection, and persuasiveness to motivate others. A charismatic leadership approach can assist leaders in motivating the average employee and team member to go beyond their comfort zone. 1

Leaders who use charismatic leadership usually have a strong vision in business or politics and can address a large audience and convince them with a persuasive speech.2 Charismatic leaders are often seen as larger-than-life figures who can use their leadership skills to inspire others to achieve the impossible.

4. Bureaucratic Leadership

Bureaucratic leadership refers to a management system that follows a line of authority and assigns official duties. It consists of a long chain of command, strict controls, and obedience by its followers.12

It works best in organizations that value rules and guidelines highly. But unfortunately, it stifles innovation, creativity, contest, and growth. While this different leadership styles can sometimes be seen as inflexible, it can also be very effective in getting things done in a timely and efficient manner.

5. Paternalistic Leadership (Family-oriented)

Paternalistic leadership is a type of leadership in which a dominant, assertive figure acts as the patriarch whom employees must respect, obey, and follow.

These leaders place a high value on training and social skills and go out of their way to provide employees with opportunities to boost their business and management skills.1

6. Laissez-faire Leadership (Chilled-out)

Laissez-faire leadership, also widely recognized as delegative leadership, is a leadership style in which leaders remain hands-off and delegate decision-making to group members. These leaders have a trusting and reliant attitude toward their employees.1

Laissez-faire leadership style is only effective when the group members are highly qualified, well-motivated, and capable of completing the task at hand.2

7. Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership inspires positive change in both fellow employees and the organization as a whole.

Not only are these leaders involved and engaged in the process, but they are also committed to ensuring that every member of the group succeeds.1

8. Entrepreneurial Leadership

Entrepreneurial leadership entails organizing and inspiring a group of individuals to accomplish a common goal through innovation, risk management, taking advantage of opportunities, and managing an active organizational environment.1

This style either offers support and encouragement for entrepreneurial orientation or stifles innovativeness and proactiveness.

9. Authoritative Leadership

The authoritative leadership style is one in which leaders demonstrate by example.

Leaders not only issue commands but also set a good example. They take the initiative and lead the team.

10. Transactional Leadership

Transactional leadership style identifies by command, organization, and short-term planning. It depends on self-motivated individuals who perform well in a structured, directed environment.1

Leaders who use this style inspire their followers through a system of rewards and punishment. Transactional leaders do not fit appropriately in environments that cherish creativity and innovative thinking.

11. Coaching Leadership

Coaching leadership style is a style that includes identifying team members’ abilities, weak points, and motivating factors to help each person improve.1 The coaching leader is not dictatorial or bossy, but instead works to inspire their followers.

It has characteristics like collaborative efforts, assistance, and vision. These leaders try to bring out the finest in their crews by guiding them through goals and tasks.2

12. Visionary Leadership Style

Visionary leadership is a type of business leadership that focuses on the long-term plan for the future. Visionary leaders have the ability to see potential where others may not, and the courage to pursue their dreams. Visionary leaders are confident and have the ability to think creatively.

Visionary leaders have a clear plan for the future, which they communicate to their colleagues to promote a collaborative and teamwork culture. They see the big picture and charts a long-term course for their team members or company to follow.1 The visionary leader is one who can see beyond what is currently happening and identify potential opportunities.

13. The Participative Leadership Style

Leaders who practice participative leadership take a democratic approach to engagement and participation. It includes paying attention to your employees and empowering them to participate in decision-making.

This type of leadership works best in low-pressure environments that are not susceptible to tight schedules and need-it-now projects.

14. Facilitative Leadership

Facilitative leadership is about bringing people together to work toward a common goal. The participation of others in decision-making distinguishes facilitative leadership from other types of leadership.1

These leaders manage opposing viewpoints and opinions to reduce group team members’ disputes.

15. Strategic Leadership

Strategic leadership is a leadership style that has the ability to visualize, strategize, lead, and maximize the resources at their disposal to carry out strategies efficiently and effectively.

These strategic leaders can innovate by involving all stakeholders and minimizing opposition. They are the trendsetters who establish new trends, seize new opportunities, and face challenges with poise. Strategic leaders have a strong belief in their own ability and are not afraid to take risks. They also have the ability to communicate their vision and inspire others to achieve it.

16. Servant Leadership

The servant leadership style consists of leaders putting the greater good first. Therefore, they do not prioritize their own goals.1 The Servant Leader approach leadership based on the belief that the best leaders are those who serve others. A Servant leader typically has a strong moral compass and a deep commitment to making sure that everyone has what they need to succeed.

Servant leadership and strives to achieve a vision by empowering employees. As a result, employees can learn and grow while contributing their expertise and vision.

17. Cross-Cultural Leadership

Cross-cultural leadership is a style for comprehending leaders who work in a newly globalized market. It includes the power to influence and encourage people’s attitudes and behaviors throughout the global community to achieve a common organization’s objectives.1

It is critical because it provides opportunities to interact and work with individuals from various cultural backgrounds, helping some organizations’ leaders at different levels.

18. Situational Leadership

Situational leadership is when leaders adjust their leadership style to the current work setting or team needs.1

This leadership style is not reliant on a leader’s skills; instead, its roots are in a leader’s ability to adapt to the needs of a group or organization to be a better and more effective leader.

19. Affiliate Leadership

An affiliative leadership style is a practical approach to establishing relationships and bringing together a disjointed team in an organization.

These leaders believe that high-performing teams benefit from open communication and a sense of belonging. As a result, they take a people-first approach and are usually effective when mending hurt feelings in a group or motivating others during times of high workload and stress.

20. Pacesetting Leadership

Pacesetting leadership aims to set high-performance standards for an organization’s leader and team.

This method is appropriate for highly skilled and motivated teams working under tight schedules. It is one of the business leadership styles that will help improve a team’s working skills.

CONCLUSION

A successful leader must understand which of these different leadership styles work best in various situations and choose the appropriate one. Great leaders make the right decision in every circumstance and take constructive criticism from team members with grace. Then, they choose the best leadership style and stance after assessing the team’s maturity.

Furthermore, each of the types of leadership styles approaches have advantages and disadvantages, and some will be more effective in specific scenarios. Some are better for coaching leadership, some are viewed better to team members, and some receive executive interests.

Whatever category you believe your current leadership style falls into, there are likely a few tweaks you can make to be even more effective. Leadership style, like everything else, is a process that requires some trial and error to perfect.

Isaac’s Strategy

The most effective leadership styles or style is the one that best fits the situation at hand. There is no single “perfect” style of leadership, but the best leaders are able to adapt their style to the needs of their followers and the situation. The most effective leaders are also aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and they use this self-knowledge to their advantage.