The sea of information surrounding leadership styles can be nothing short of confusing. From transactional to autocratic to laissez-faire, finding that “perfect” leadership style is seen as an important factor in helping both you and your organization achieve success. So, which one is best? Which one will work in every single situation? The answer may surprise you.
The Number One Leadership Style Is . . .
There is no perfect leadership style. Different styles will work best for certain individuals in different organizations. The simple reality is that your leadership style – the way you communicate, delegate, manage, and perform – is going to depend on your personality, temperament, and experience, as well as where you are, and what’s going on around you.
There are, however, a few things that help define all great leaders, regardless of what style, or styles, they employ:
- Great leaders are connoisseurs of talent. The best leaders know how to find the best people and bring them together to create high performing teams, and ultimately achieve organizational goals.
- Great leaders have the ability to continually remind people what is important. The best leaders keep individuals and teams focused on the organization’s vision, strategy and goals. Consistently asking “what are we focused on right now?” and understanding how that effects – or does not effect – the company’s end goals means leaders can efficiently guide their organization, and its people, toward success.
A great leader is at the foundation of every successful company and high performing team. Being a great leader though, is not about what style of leadership you subscribe to. Instead it is contingent on your abilities to bring together the best talent and keep them focused on what really matters.
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 David Swain, BSc Mgmt., MSOD, CEC, PCC with over 30 years’ experience in both coaching the leaders of large organizations and leading them himself.
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