Leadership Styles: The 10 Most Common Type and How to Find Yours

Every leader has their own way of inspiring people and making things happen. Some bring energy and vision, others provide structure and direction, while many focus on empowering their teams to grow. These unique approaches, known as Leadership Styles, shape how leaders communicate, make decisions, and build the kind of teamwork that drives success.

In this blog, you’ll discover what Leadership Styles are, why they matter, and the most common types you’ll come across. You’ll also learn how to identify the style that fits you best and how the right approach can motivate, inspire, and lead your team toward lasting success. 
 

What is a Leadership Style? 

Leadership Styles  refers to a leader’s characteristics, methods, and behaviours when directing, motivating, and managing their teams. A leader’s style is shaped by various factors, including:

a) Personality 

b) Values 

c) Skills 

d) Experiences 

These factors impact the effectiveness of their leadership.  

Additionally, a Leadership Style determines how leaders shape strategies, implement plans and respond to changes,  all while managing stakeholder expectations and the team’s well-being. Leadership Theories help explain how different styles emerge and why certain approaches work better in specific situations. In many cases, leaders will express a broad range of Leadership Styles and will likely adapt to these styles depending on their situation. 

Why do you Need a Leadership Style?

A Leadership Style is important because it defines how you guide, motivate, and connect with your team. Without a clear style, your approach can feel inconsistent, leaving others unsure of what to expect. Having a distinct Leadership Style builds trust, strengthens communication, and creates a positive work environment.

It also helps you adapt to challenges, make better decisions, and inspire people to work toward shared goals. By developing your own leadership style, you give your team clarity and direction, which leads to stronger collaboration and long-term success.

Types of Leadership Styles

Let’s explore the different types of Leadership Styles that inspire and guide diverse teams and organisations:

1) Transformational Leadership 

These Transformational Leadership> Styles focus on inspiring change and driving growth. Leaders who follow it motivate their teams to push beyond their limits and achieve exceptional results. They encourage innovation, creativity, and a forward-thinking mindset to reach organisational goals.

They also see change as an important part of success and help their teams adapt to it. By supporting people in building their skills and confidence, these leaders empower everyone to grow and reach their full potential.

2) Transactional Leadership
 

Transactional Leadership is based on an exchange between leaders and followers, where employees complete specific tasks in return for rewards, often monetary. This approach sets clear roles, expectations, and goals, helping teams stay organised and productive under strong supervision and direction.

However, this style can also limit creativity and innovation. Because it focuses mainly on rules, rewards, and performance, it may discourage employees from thinking outside the box or trying new ideas.
 

3) Autocratic Leadership (Authoritarian)
 

Authoritative leaders are visionary and act as mentors to their teams. They guide others with a “follow me” approach, offering clear direction, feedback, and encouragement. Their goal is to inspire people to work toward shared goals and feel proud of their achievements.

They also take time to understand each team member’s strengths and needs, offering personal guidance to help them grow. However, because these Leadership Styles are very hands-on, leaders must avoid micromanaging, as it can make people feel pressured or less motivated.
 

4) Democratic Leadership (Participative) 
 

Democratic or participative leadership is considered one of the most effective styles. Leaders who follow this approach guide their teams but also listen to everyone’s ideas and involve them in decisions. While the final choice still rests with the leader, team members feel valued and included.

These Leadership Styles help build trust, motivation, and creativity among team members. People feel like their opinions matter and that they play an important role in the team’s success. As a result, they are more committed to achieving shared goals and often produce higher-quality work.
 

5) Strategic Leadership 
 

Strategic leaders function as the bridge between a company's primary operations and its growth opportunities. This Leadership Style, often thriving in a Flat Organisation Structure , requires competitive awareness, adaptability, and vision. requires competitive awareness, adaptability and vision. These leaders handle the burden of executive interests and ensure that working conditions are stable for everyone else. This leadership style can create an agile, forward-thinking, and adaptable organisation that can retain a competitive edge in today's dynamic Business Leadership landscape.

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6) Laissez-faire Leadership (Delegative)
 

Laissez-faire or delegative leadership gives team members full freedom to make their own decisions. The leader offers little or no guidance and lets people work on their own. This style can work well when team members are skilled experts who need little supervision.

However, it can also cause confusion and low motivation if people are unsure of their roles. Teams may lack direction, blame each other for mistakes, and struggle to complete tasks effectively.

7) Situational Leadership 
 

Situational leaders specialise in changing their management style to align with the needs of the situation or team. Effective Leadership and Managementrequire adapting Leadership Styles to match team members' readiness and development levels.

This Leadership Style involves analysing specific situations, evaluating the commitment and competence of individuals, and adjusting the leadership approach accordingly. It's proactive and goes by the philosophy that change is the only constant. 

8) Servant Leadership 

This Leadership Style prioritises others' needs and emphasises building strong relationships with those around you. Being a leader requires understanding the people you are working with, nurturing their abilities, and setting a good example. 

At its core, Servant Leadership is all about ethical decision-making. If one follows this model, they are more likely to make decisions based on what's right for everyone rather than just benefitting a select few. This can improve communication between all involved parties—from Senior Management to front-line employees. 

9) Visionary Leadership
 

This Leadership Style focuses on long-term goals.  It encourages emotional intelligence, collaboration, and teamwork. The role of emotional intelligence in leadership is crucial, as it helps leaders understand and manage emotions effectively to inspire and connect with their teams. Visionary leaders also inspire a culture of innovation and change, encouraging individuals to embrace new ideas. These leaders are persuasive communicators, which helps them energise teams toward impactful business growth.  

As the priority is on future growth, visionary leaders can predict potential roadblocks and outline action plans. This gives employees increased confidence during uncertain or challenging times. 

10) Coaching Leadership 
 

Also called conscious leadership, this Leadership Style focuses on identifying and nurturing each team member's strengths and developing strategies to enable teams to work better together. While this style is like strategic and democratic leadership, it emphasises individual employees' success. 

A Manager with this Leadership Style can help employees improve their strengths by: 

a) Giving them new tasks to try 

b) Offering guidance 

c) Meeting to discuss constructive feedback 
 

11) Pacesetting Leadership

Pacesetting leaders set very high goals and expect their team to meet them quickly and accurately. They focus on results and often step in to make sure work is done the right way and on time. These leaders lead by example, showing others how to perform at their best.

They value speed, efficiency, and quality. While this style can drive strong results, it can also create pressure if team members struggle to keep up with the leader’s fast pace.

12) Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leaders use their charm and strong communication skills to inspire and motivate others. They bring people together around a shared goal and create excitement about the team’s vision.

However, sometimes their confidence can become too strong, and they may start to see themselves as more important than the team. This can lead them to lose focus on the main goals or daily tasks.

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How do I Know my Leadership Style?

You can find your Leadership Styles by noticing how you lead, make decisions, and work with others. Start by exploring the following steps to understand yourself better:

1) Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Think about what you are good at and what you find difficult. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you choose a Leadership Style that fits you best. This self-awareness also helps you grow and improve as a leader.

2) Clarify Your Core Values and Challenges

Decide what matters most to you, like honesty, teamwork, or growth. Also, think about the challenges you face as a leader. When you know your values, it becomes easier to lead with confidence and purpose.
 

3) Learn From Leaders you Admire

Look at leaders you respect and notice how they talk, make decisions, and guide others. Try to learn from them and use the ideas that work best for you. Watching others can help you shape your own unique Leadership Style.

4) Experiment With Various Leadership Styles 

A hands-on option is to try out varying Leadership Styles. You can create an outline of what piques your interest and review your notes before the next meeting to analyse how you can incorporate it into your interactions. 
 

5) Seek Guidance From a Mentor or Business Coach

Working with a business coach is another way to hone your Leadership Style. A mentor can be someone from your workplace that you respect and would appreciate feedback from, be it a respected colleague or another leader. 

6) Gather Feedback From Colleagues and Peers 

Another way to pinpoint the best style for your leadership needs is to ask other colleagues and team members for feedback. You can plan out what you to ask and why so you get the feedback you need. Focus on how people might respond and set clear guidelines and expectations. 

When you get the feedback, listen carefully because you will gain valuable information regarding your strengths and weaknesses that will help you pinpoint areas of improvement. 

7) Take a Leadership Style Assessment 

Leadership assessments are brilliant tools for leaders, yourself as an individual, and teams. A leadership quiz can make the process of understanding your strengths and weaknesses easier to understand. It can surface habits and qualities you should be aware of and give you a clear direction for growth. 

Conclusion 

Understanding your Leadership Styles helps you grow, connect better with your team, and guide them toward success. Each style has its strengths, and knowing yours allows you to lead with confidence and purpose. Keep learning, stay open to feedback, and adapt your approach as your team and goals evolve. With the right mindset, anyone can become an effective leader.
 

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