What is meant by leadership styles 

A leadership style is the way a leader makes decisions, communicates with others, and guides their team. Different leadership styles suit different situations, and each has strengths and weaknesses. Here are some common styles:

• Autocratic: The leader makes decisions alone and expects others to follow instructions. 
• Bureaucratic: Leadership follows strict rules and procedures. 
• Charismatic: The leader’s personality and energy encourage others to follow by inspiring and motivating them.
• Coaching: The leader focuses on developing individuals, helping them improve their skills and reach their potential. 
• Democratic: Decisions are made with input from the group and might even be voted on before decisions are finalised. 
• Hands-off (Laissez-faire): The leader gives people freedom to make their own decisions and take responsibility. 
• Transactional: The leader sets clear rules and expectations, offering rewards for good performance and consequences for poor performance. 

Transformational: The leader motivates and inspires people to achieve a shared vision.

Why it is important to understand leadership styles 

Being aware of your leadership style helps you understand how your approach affects others. All leadership styles have an upside and a downside - there is no one consistently best leadership style. 

It is also the case that sometimes individuals show different leadership styles in different situations, so being aware of that is important. Great understanding of leadership styles allows you to adapt to different situations, build stronger relationships, and make better decisions. A leader who understands their style can balance strengths and weaknesses, creating a more effective and motivated team.

How to understand your leadership style

The way a leader interacts with their team can have a big impact on motivation, performance, and relationships. Here are some ways different leadership styles influence a team:

• Autocratic leadership can create fast decisions but may make people feel unheard or unvalued.
• Bureaucratic leadership ensures consistency but may limit innovation and flexibility.
• Charismatic leadership can energise a group but may lead to dependence on the leader rather than building long-term stability.
• Coaching leadership helps individuals develop their skills but requires time and patience.
• Democratic leadership makes people feel included and valued but can slow down decision-making.
• Hands-off leadership gives freedom but may cause confusion if people need guidance.
• Transactional leadership sets clear expectations but may not encourage deeper engagement or creativity.
• Transformational leadership can inspire and motivate a team but requires strong communication and trust.

By understanding how different leadership styles affect a team, leaders can be thoughtful about what the positive and negative effects of their approach might be.