Leadership styles: types of leader
Be a leader It implies having a set of skills and abilities that make it possible to guide a group of people in an organized manner achieve a common goal. There are different types of leaders, different ways of exercising leadership, with its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the different ways of leading, will allow us to exercise leadership Effectively and effectively, being a charismatic and assertive person.
A single type of leader or different types
When we talk about a leader, different ideas come to mind, from the authoritarian boss whom everyone fears and therefore follow their guidelines, to the friend who leads the groups, who always makes the decisions and takes the lead to all They follow no longer out of fear, but out of admiration. These two examples would be the opposite extremes in the continuum of leadership. There are different types of leaders, different leadership styles with their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Leadership styles
Being a leader may seem simple, but in many cases it is not an easy task. Some people seem to be leaders from childhood in a natural way, everyone admires them and they follow them, these people exercise leadership in a natural and unconscious way, only with their attitude they gain power and admiration, they do not have any position and power that provokes leadership. Others, on the other hand, have more difficulty in exercising leadership and intentionally shape their leadership style.
There are different ways of exercising leadership, which we must take into account since they can lead to an effective or ineffective performance. exist Leadership styles positive and negative styles. The positive styles of a good leader contribute to improve the self-esteem of the people, take into account the opinions and improve the performance of the group, negative styles do not listen to others, can cause stress, low self-esteem, conflicts, etc.
Leadership styles
1. Leadership laissez-faire. Laissez-faire leadership is a leadership style of letting go, also called delegative leadership. It is a style in which the leader delegates, does not intervene and does not provide reinforcement. The leader does not intervene unless it is necessary, as soon as he exercises control. It is based on letting each person use their experience and knowledge without intervening.
Advantage. For some people have autonomy and freedom, it provides motivation and serves to improve their performance.
Disadvantages It is an appropriate style with people who have a lot of responsibility and self-control. Many people will have difficulty organizing their work. Also some people for fear of error will not take the initiative. It's a complicated style when the conflict appears.
2. Autocratic leadership.Is the leadership style contrary to the previous one. The leader has all the control and power, is the only one who makes decisions and sets the guidelines without anyone. It is a leadership style in one direction, which is based on imposition and fear, people are limited to obey the leader.
Advantage. When it is necessary to make quick decisions, in extreme situations it is very effective.
Disadvantages It is a style that discourages people who simply follow orders. It is a style that causes groups and organizations to stagnate, as there is no room for other opinions or points of view. There is no learning and evolution. The members of the group, in addition, often question the leader and not agree with him, can lead to conflicts.
3. Democratic leadership.The democratic style is a style in which the whole group participates and has an opinion and the leader collects opinions, listens, decides and supervises. It is a style with many directions, where everyone participates and is listened to.
Advantage. When the members of the group perceive themselves listened to, when their opinion is taken into account, they become more involved with the group, they are more motivated and they are more effective.
Disadvantages The great disadvantage of this style of leadership appears when there are difficulties in reaching a common point among all opinions. In these cases conflicts may arise and the leader must have skills to balance and make everyone feel heard.
4. Transactional leadership.It is a style of leadership based on transactions or exchanges between the leader and the members of the group. The leader benefits from the achievements of group members and in return receives some compensation or reward.
Advantage. It is a style that focuses on objectives and agreements. The members of the group are motivated to achieve objectives and above all for the reward associated with the objectives. In this style it is clear what is expected of each one
Disadvantages It is a style that works very well if everything is in balance and if there are no changes, focused on the present. But problems appear when there are changes, difficulties appear to face the changes and adapt to them.
5. Transformational leadership.It is a style of leadership that is based on sharing the resources and knowledge of group members to promote and promote transformation. It is a style of leadership that favors the transformation of the organization and group, open to change and based on communication.
Advantage. This style of leadership has many advantages, since it listens to the members of the group in search of solutions and transformations. The members of the group feel motivated and involved. The leader is able to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the group. It is a dynamic group that changes expectations and forms of action with the circumstances.
Disadvantages The leader has to be prepared and be able to analyze the processes of change, as well as motivate the members in this process.
Celia Rodríguez Ruiz. Clinical health psychologist. Specialist in pedagogy and child and youth psychology. Director of Educa and Learn. Author of the collection Stimulate Reading and Writing Processes.
