Leadership Styles

Leadership Styles

I came across different kind of leadership styles. I decided to collate them all together for audience to refer and to find out which style they fits into and which style they need to work on adapt to changing scenarios

There are different types of leadership styles, each proving effective depending on the given circumstances, attitude, beliefs, preferences and values of the people involved. In this article, we're going to discuss 7 of these leadership styles. Each item in the following list contains at least one famous example of each leadership style. Every famous example of each leadership type showcases the fact that different kinds of leaders can implement the same kind of leadership. The first style of leadership on this list demonstrates this in an extreme way.
For more detailed descriptions of each method, be sure to check out Bright Hub's collection of articles that analyze all leadership styles.

Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic Leadership is one of the modern leadership styles in the changing world. In this kind of leadership, the leader uses charm to get the admiration of their followers. They show concern for their people and they look after their people's needs. They create a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for their followers by listening to them and making them feel that they have a voice in the decision making. Famous examples of charismatic leaders are Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Mother Teresa and Adolph Hitler.

Participative Leadership

This kind of leadership is usually seen in corporate settings. Leaders act more like facilitators rather than dictators. They facilitate the ideas and the sharing of information with the end goal of arriving at a decision. The final decision ultimately rests on the leader but all considerations and factors of a decision come from the collective mind of the group under this leadership. A famous example of a participative leader is Donald Trump.

Situational Leadership

In situational leadership, three factors affect the leader's decisions: the situation, the capability of the followers and the capability of the leader. The leader adjusts to whatever limitation is laid out in front of him by his subordinates and the situation itself. Adaptability is key here. The leaders need to be as dynamic as the different situations they are faced with. A famous example of this leadership style is Dwight Eisenhower.

Transactional Leadership

In this kind of leadership, a clear chain of command is established. The leader motivates his subordinates by presenting them rewards and punishments. All requirements for a subordinate are clearly stated with corresponding rewards. If they fail to satisfy those requirements, they will receive a corresponding punishment. A couple of famous examples of transactional leaders are Joseph McCarthy and Charles de Gaulle.

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders lead by motivating by their followers. Leaders appeal to their followers' ideals and morals to motivate them in accomplishing their tasks. Basically, these kinds of leaders empower their followers using their own beliefs and personal strengths. Simply put, they inspire their followers. Famous transformational leaders include Martin Luther King Jr. and Walt Disney.

The Quiet Leader

The quiet leader leads by example. They do not tell people what to do. They do not force people to do things that they are not willing to do. They do not give loud speeches, sweeping statements and clear cut orders. They do what needs to be done, inspiring their followers to do the same. Famous examples of the Quiet Leader are Rosa Parks, King George VI, Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson.

Servant Leadership

In servant leadership, the leader takes care of the needs of his followers first before they take care of their own. Instead of acting like a king to their subordinates, leaders act as servants. The leader feels that they need to serve their followers rather than force upon them what they want. Famous examples of servant leaders include George Washington, Gandhi and Cesar Chavez.
These leadership styles are much easier to understand if you picture the famous example of each leadership style.

Choice: reflection or transformation!!

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.’: Albert Einstein

We all have been provided with a number of incredible gifts that are often times overlooked. One of such incredible gift provided to you and me is the power of choice.  We all know that at every stage in life an individual is suppose to make choices. These choices represent a fundamental tool that we use to deal with the opportunities, challenges and uncertainties that life offers. This we can safely conclude that the kind of quality of life we have been having and we will have depends upon the choices that we make. 

In order to lead a successful life, an individual is supposed to make right choices. But what constitutes a successful life? Is it the monetary gains that define a successful life? Is it the fame earned that defines the successful life? Is it a satisfaction to have led a respectable, ethical life that defines a successful life? Success is a fuzzy word and means different thing to different people. For me a success is to stick to my ethical values and achieve career growth while clinging on to it. I believe that honesty and integrity are the prime virtues that separate humans from other species. In my life I have experienced that sometimes mistakes committed by me adversely affects others. Thinking back in time and recollecting my experiences I can safely deduce that I always had a choice. One option was to blame my mistake to someone else and let that guilt haunt my heart to eternity. The other option was to own up the mistakes, appease the stake holders and make a commitment to not to repeat it in future. The second option gives me a chance to stay happy and live cheerfully.

If an individual have a strong ethical stand, compassion solution can be figured out easily. There have been instances wherein significant short cuts could have aided me in gaining significant advantages in my academic and professional career. I still not chose to consider any of those choices for a simple reason that I know at the end of the day I am only answerable to my conscience. If my conscience does not allow me to move along a certain path or is in dissonance with short term goals, it will haunt me.

In short I understand the fact that If only my actions, my thinking brings me peace, I can be happy. My ethics matters most to me. I can never move forward with an action that may cause dissonance with my inner self. The question arises how far this conviction will guide me ? The fallen angel "Lucifer" is know as the Satan today, do mere mortals like you and me could really pass through the test of time? Nothing could be concluded in such short interval. It is not that the seven deadly sins have not crossed their path with you and me, but they do have varied in intensity, opportunity and rewards. 

Life was never easy, it will never be. The seduction that choices bring with them, in a short term enhances material gain, but in long term transforms the entire gamut of our personality.

Freedom of choice is a luxury that we have. But are we willing to take the responsibility of the consequences that our choices bring with them? I think answering this question may not solve the issues running in my mind but they do guide me to the right path..don't you think so?