Tracking down the leadership style you use on your own can be almost as challenging as finding a needle in a haystack.
Do you use an authoritative/directive style?
Maybe you are leaning toward a more democratic/collaborative style?
Or is your leadership more hands-off/laissez-faire?
We assure you that your predominant leadership style can be identified.
Leadership styles vary significantly, and understanding your preferred approach can enhance leadership effectiveness.
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.
Let’s get started:
- When faced with a challenging task, how do you approach it?
a) I prefer to take charge and provide clear instructions to my team.
b) I encourage my team to collaborate and develop solutions.
c) I delegate the task to someone I trust and let them handle it independently. - How do you handle conflicts within your team?
a) I address conflicts directly and make the final decision myself.
b) I mediate and encourage open communication to find a resolution together.
c) I let the team members resolve the conflict independently. - Your team has achieved a significant milestone. How do you celebrate success?
a) I take the opportunity to praise individual team members for their contributions.
b) I organize a team celebration where everyone can share their achievement.
c) I let the team decide how to celebrate their success. - How do you make important decisions?
a) I trust my instincts and make the decision quickly.
b) I gather input from the team and decide based on consensus.
c) I delegate the decision-making process to someone I trust. - As a leader, how do you provide feedback to your team members?
a) I provide direct and constructive feedback to help them improve.
b) I ask for their feedback and then share my thoughts.
c) I leave feedback to their direct supervisors or team members. - Your team is working on a project that is falling behind schedule. How do you handle this situation?
a) I take a more hands-on role to get things back on track.
b) I call a team meeting to discuss the challenges and brainstorm solutions.
c) I trust the team to find a way to catch up without my direct involvement. - How do you foster a positive team culture?
a) By setting a strong example and leading with high expectations.
b) By promoting a collaborative and supportive environment.
c) By allowing the team to establish its culture naturally. - In times of stress or pressure, how do you support your team?
a) By providing clear direction and taking charge of the situation.
b) By actively listening to their concerns and offering assistance.
c) By allowing them to handle the situation as they see fit. - How do you handle new team members who join your group?
a) I give them specific tasks and closely monitor their progress.
b) I introduce them to the team and assign them a buddy to support them.
c) I trust the team to welcome and integrate them without much intervention. - Your team has completed a project successfully. What do you do next?
a) I immediately assign them a new project to keep the momentum going.
b) I hold a team meeting to review the project and gather feedback for improvement.
c) I let the team members decide what to work on next.
Now, it’s time to tally up your results! Count the number of A’s, B’s, and C’s you selected:
- Most A’s: Your leadership style is primarily authoritative/directive.
- Most B’s: Your leadership style is predominantly democratic/collaborative.
- Most C’s: Your leadership style tends to be hands-off/laissez-faire.
Remember that conflict, communication, leadership, personality, and learning styles can be flexible and adaptable based on your team’s situation and needs.
The best leaders can blend different styles as the situation requires.
Use this knowledge to enhance your leadership skills and positively impact your team and organization.
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With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.