Do you have a flexible leadership style? Are you able to exercise good judgment and display the appropriate leadership style in the right context?

Emotionally Intelligent Leaders:

• Create a great work atmosphere

• Do not have one style of leadership but several

• Know when to use the appropriate style of leadership

• Know exactly what their role is in the team

The Hay Group identified six styles of leadership. By understanding more about styles you will be able to put your own predominant style into perspective. You will be more flexible in the way you lead your team. You will engage your team more by using the most appropriate style for the situation.

Visionary

The visionary leader inspires and is able to explain how and why the efforts of employees contribute to the dream. Through empathy and clarity they are able to move people towards shared dreams.

Affiliative

The affiliative leader creates harmony that boosts morale and solves conflicts. A very useful style for healing rifts in a team or motivating during stressful times.

Participative

The participative leader is a superb listener, a team worker, a collaborator, and an influencer. By valuing input of people, the participative leader gets commitment through participation.

Coaching

By listening and helping people identify their own strengths and weaknesses, the coaching leader encourages, delegates and improves performance by building long-term capabilities.

Pacesetting

With a strong drive to achieve, high personal standards and initiative, pacesetters get results from a competent team. Do too much of this and your employees will feel stifled and have less room to grow.

Directive

The directive leader is too inclined to say do it. It is a style that demands compliance, and is most effective in a crisis situation when you need to kick-start an urgent turnaround! It is least effective when used with capable and self-motivated employees.

What leadership style is your greatest strength? Working with a seasoned executive coach as part of a comprehensive leadership program can help you increase your emotional intelligence, and adapt your leadership style to the appropriate situation.