Different Leadership Styles
What is the definition of Leadership? If we had 25 people write their definition on paper we would have 25 different answers. One of the text book definitions is: Leadership is the art of influencing a person or group of people to consistently obtain outstanding results under favorable and unfavorable conditions alike.
Ok that’s a pretty powerful definition with several words that really stick out: Art, Influencing, Consistently, Results, Favorable, and Unfavorable. That covers a lot of territory in two sentences. What can I do to ensure I am providing sound leadership?
Understanding your team and the strengths and weakness of every one of them individually is expected of any professional leader. Understanding that everyone doesn’t respond to the same style off leadership is very important. Let’s use an example to make it easy to understand my point.
Erick and Jeff have been working in the Home Theater Department for over a year; I have a job that needs to be completed today. Realizing the strength and weakness of both of them I will assign the same job to both of them using a different approach.
Jeff is a solid associate that is always on time and does a great job with customers. He has no desire to be in a leadership position or be held accountable for anyone else. He follows instructions well and can be counted on to finish tasks assigned to him. Here is how I would assign Jeff a task. Good morning Jeff, how are you today? Let’s go to the TV aisle, I want you to turn the TV’S off, take them down from the shelf and clean them using our company cleaning solution. We need to also clean the shelves off, then replace the TV’s ensuring they are laser lined, on the same channel and the correct price tag is under the TV’s. Do you have any questions? Great give me a call when you are done and let’s look at it together.
Erick is also a solid associate loaded with energy, he frequently approaches me with new ideas in support of customer service and satisfaction. He has made it known to everyone that he desires to be a supervisor. Here is how I would assign Erick the same task. Good morning Erick, how are you today? We need to get this TV aisle squared away, do you have any questions? Great I have a very busy schedule so I will talk with you later.
Knowing my team individually helped me realize what style of Leadership to use. Jeff responds to authoritarian style of leadership whereas Erick responds to a democratic style of leadership. If I would have gone into detail with Erick I would have been wasting both of our time. His mind was clicking as soon as I stated what I needed done. Jeff if I hadn’t given specific instructions would have agreed the aisle needed cleaning but probably would do other things he thought were his duties.
Knowing your team individually allows you to place them in positions to excel. You have to challenge them so they can develop into smarter leaders. Some will require more attention and additional training than others.