On leadership style: Be flexible

flexible manager

Entrepreneurs manage resources and people to attain business goals.   Clearly, it is important that they have a modicum of leadership.

Nowadays, however, leadership traits  seem to be taking the backseat to leadership style.  After all, not all leaders possess the traits or qualities identified with good leadership and  many non-leaders do. 

Which brings us to leadership styles.

Leadership styles have been distinguished many ways.  Here is one, as described by Hersey and Blanchard.

1.       Commanding.  The commanding leader gives specific directions to subordinates and is highly task oriented.  The communication style is direct and specific.  Team members are given instructions about roles and goals.  Little attention is given to interaction or relationships.

2.       Prompting.  The leader who uses a prompting style solicits and implements subordinates’ ideas, yet maintains decision-making power.  Because the leader is high in both task and relationship-behavior, the communication style is still directive than anything else.  Team members are given information and explanations.  Leader solicits suggestions and praises acceptable performance of assigned tasks.

3.       Reinforcing.  The reinforcing leader supports the efforts of subordinates, is approachable, and has genuine concern for people.  This style is a combination of high-relationship and low-task behavior.  The communication style facilitates participative interaction.  The leader listens, encourages, and gives motivating feedback.

4.       Delegating.  The delegating leader applies achievement-oriented leadership by entrusting responsibility and authority to subordinates.  This leader sets challenging goals, has confidence in subrodinate’s abilities, and expects them to accomplish tasks.  This leader presents expectations and gives feedback on results.  The tyle falls in the low task, low relationship area, and communication is minimal.

As a manager of people in your company, you don’t have to stick to one leadership style but rather adapt to the people and situation.  You need  the flexibility to use a variety of leadership styles, be able to determine which style is appropriate, and be able to gain agreement with employees about their goals and the style that meets their needs to reach these goals.

Leaders must constantly assess the need to adjust their leadership style.  The best way to gauge their need for direction is to observe reactions and ask for feedback.

Source: Effective Managerial Communication by Robert Rasberry and Laura Lindsay

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