S1: Telling - Under this leadership style, the leader dictates the flow of tasks and designates all responsibilities. This is characterized by one-way communication, wherein the subordinates have little or no chance to participate in the decision making process. It is the leader who determines what needs to be done, how to do it, where to perform the task, and why it needs to be done. In many circumstances, the subordinates of a "telling style" leader do not have a complete knowledge about the purpose of their tasks. They just follow for the mere sake of following.
S2: Selling - A leader who uses "selling" style is still providing instructions and directions (similar to S1). However, the only distinction from "telling" is that in this particular style, the leader is now providing emotional support and gives the subordinates a clear reason and motivation for doing the job. While the idea and decision still comes from the leader, the subordinates are now being encouraged to "buy into" the idea.
S3: Participating - In this particular style, the leader lets the subordinates participate in the decision making process. Thus, the what, how, when, and why of every task or responsibility is now decided by the entire group (not just the leader). This leadership style is characterized by "high relationship" behavior. In essence, the leader shares some of his decision making power to his subordinates.
S4: Delegating - A leader who uses the delegating type of leadership displays low task behavior (he has little or no part in the actual tasks of the organization). The leader's role here is to initiate participative meetings with his subordinates, come up with a group decision on what needs to be done, and then delegate the responsibility to key people in the team. The leader who uses the delegating style does not care much about the details of HOW things should be done. Instead, he is merely concerned with the outcome/result, and lets the assigned person employ his own methods and means of achieving the task.
While this sounds like a very neat explanation of leadership, real life leadership is characterized by many gray areas instead of mere black and white. No single leadership style will work effectively in all situations. The leader, then, should be able to fit his style to the current circumstances and to the people he is working with. The key question here is flexibility and adaptability, and it also means a high level of skills to be able to adapt without appearing like a flip flop.
To find out more about Leadership Styles and Coaching for your organization, contact us for a tailor made program to suit your needs!
Source: anita-pickup.blogspot.com
