Exploring Different Leadership Styles: A Guide for Hiring Managers

It's no secret that the success of any business hinges largely on the effectiveness of their team and leadership. However, this can be a daunting task for most employers as it isn't always obvious which type of leader is suitable for their company. 

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Harvard researchers have found that up to half of newly appointed chief executives fail within their first 18 months as a result of low preparedness and/or hiring a leader unsuited for their business context.

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This emphasizes how crucial it is to go beyond simply meeting with potential candidates when deciding who to hire for a top leadership position. It's essential to understand and consider the new leader's style, traits, experience, and track record. 

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In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common leadership styles out there and their relative benefits for your business. 

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New Leadership Style: Coaching Leadership

When leadership is done well, it has the potential to develop team members' strengths, provide meaningful challenges, and build a more motivated, engaged, responsive and collaborative team. By unifying team goals around the business mission, the leader can engage in the coaching process to identify individual and team challenges. 

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What’s more, they are able to use creative problem-solving techniques to help team members take ownership of challenges and set goals to reach milestones and solve them. By understanding the needs of the team, effective coaching leadership can support individuals and help them reach their full potential, while building a more cohesive and productive team.

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However, organizations that need fast outcomes should think twice before considering coaching leadership since it mainly requires an immense amount of patience. This kind of leading is only effective if all the members of the team are willing to work collaboratively with a coach-like leader. Without proper team chemistry, the outcomes of this management style could be disappointing.

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Laissez-Faire Leadership

Laissez-faire leadership relies on the team members to take initiative and make decisions without direct intervention from the supervisor. This style can be effective in situations where the team is highly skilled and self-motivated. 

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The leader should also be comfortable with relinquishing control and trusting that the team will make the best decisions. In return, the team should feel empowered and have the freedom to take action without fear of repercussions. 

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When used effectively, laissez-faire leadership can foster a sense of autonomy and camaraderie within the team. However, it is important that the leader stays engaged and keeps an eye on progress to ensure that the team is making progress towards achieving its goals.

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Situational Leadership

Situational leadership is designed to adapt to the situation at hand. This style can be effective in situations where different leadership styles are necessary depending on the circumstances. 

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For example, when leading a project team, a situational leader might be more directive when setting goals and deadlines, but become more supportive when dealing with interpersonal issues. 

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By tailoring their approach to each situation, situational leaders can create a more effective and engaging leadership style. Ultimately, situational leadership helps create a more flexible environment where employees are empowered to take ownership of tasks and create solutions.

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Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leaders typically have strong personalities and the ability to inspire and motivate their team. This type of leadership is often useful when the team needs a leader to rally behind. 

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However, it can also come with some drawbacks. Charismatic leaders may struggle to be objective and make difficult decisions without consensus from their team. They may also be perceived as autocratic or domineering by some members of the team. 

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Overall, charismatic leadership is an effective style that can be beneficial in some scenarios, but it should be used with caution.

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Understanding Different Leadership Styles for Effective Management

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When it comes to leadership styles, it's important to understand the different options available and their strengths and weaknesses. Effective leaders are able to adapt their style to the situation at hand and inspire their team to achieve their goals. 

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By understanding the key traits and benefits of conscientiousness, individuals and teams can work to develop this important personality trait and improve their overall success. Conscientiousness is defined as being reliable, organized, and thorough. Individuals with this trait are likely to be disciplined, hardworking, and focused on task completion. 

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While these qualities may not be the most exciting to witness, they can go a long way in ensuring that tasks are done correctly and on time. In addition, conscientious people tend to be thoughtful, patient listeners who can process information carefully before acting. This can be a valuable characteristic for leaders who need to weigh their options carefully before making decisions. 

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Ultimately, by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various leadership styles and how they can be best channeled with the help of conscientiousness, individuals and teams can improve their overall performance.

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