LEADERSHIP

Leadership is the ability to influence a group of individuals to achieve set goals or objectives. A
set of mind sets and behavior that aligns people in a collective direction, enables them to work
together and accomplish shared goals and helps them to adjust to changing environments
Mckinsey (2024).
Types of leadership style
Leadership style refers to the behavioral approach employed by leaders to influence, motivate
and direct their followers. Leadership style determines how leaders implement plans and
strategies to accomplish given objectives while accounting for stakeholders’ expectations and the
well-being and soundness of the group/team.
Studies conducted indicate that followers who trust in their leaders are more likely to follow
through with the leaders’ instructions over and above the expected. In turn they will accomplish
the set goals while being allowed to speak freely to air their ideas and suggestions on the
direction of the projects at hand.
Common leadership styles
1 Democratic leadership
It’s where a leader makes decisions based on the input received from team members it is
collective and consultative leadership style where each team member has an opportunity to
contribute to the direction of ongoing project. However the leader has final responsibility to
make the decision. This leadership style is most popular and effective as it has the ability to
provide lower-level employees a voice making important for an organization.
2 Autocratic leadership
It’s a direct opposite to democratic leadership. In this case, the leader makes all decisions on
behalf of the team without taking any input or suggestion from them. The leader holds all
authorities and responsibility. They have the absolute power and dictates all tasks to be
undertaken. There is no consultation with employees before the decision is made. After the
diction is made, everyone is expected to support the decision made by the leader. There is often
some level of fear of the leader by the team.
3 Laissez –Faire Leadership.
This is defined as hands-off or passive approach to leadership. Instead, leaders provide their
team members with the necessary tools, information, and resources to carry out their work

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tasks. The “ let them be “ style of leadership entails all leaders steps back and free to plan,
organize, make decisions, tackle problems, and complete the assigned projects. This type is
empowering to employees who are creative, skilled, and self-motivated. The level of trust
and independent given to the team can prove to be uplifted and productive and can prove to
be uplifting and productive and lead to job satisfaction.
At the same time, it’s important to keep such a type of leadership in check as chaos and
confusion can quickly ensure if the team is not organized. The team can end up doing
completely different things contrary to expectation.
4 Transformational leadership
Transformational leadership is all about transforming the business or groups by inspiring
team members to keep increasing their bar and achieve what they never thought they were
capable of. Transformational leaders expect the best out of their work team and push them
consistently until their work, lives and business go through a transformation or considerable
improvement. This type of leadership is associated with high growth – oriented organizations
that push boundaries in innovation and productivity.
5 Transactional leadership
Transactional leadership is more short –term and can best be described as “a give and take“
kind of transaction. Team members agree to follow their leader on job acceptance; therefore,
it’s a transaction involving payment for services rendered. Employees are reworded for the
work or service rendered/ performed. A leader establishes roles and responsibilities for each
team member and encourages the work to be completed as scheduled. There are instances
where incentives programs can be employed over above and regular payments.
6 Bureaucratic leadership
Here processes and regularities are followed according to policy with no room for flexibility.
Rules are set on how work should be done, and bureaucratic leaders ensure that team
members follow these procedures meticulously. Inputs from employees are considered by the
leaders; however it’s rejected if it does not conform to organizational policy. Although there
is less control and more freedom than an autocratic leadership style, there is still no
motivation to be innovative or go the extra mile.

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 7 Servant leadership
Servant leadership involves a leader being a servant to the team first before being a
leader. The leaders strive to serve needs of team above their own. It requires a leader with
high integrity and magnificence. It creates a positive organizational culture and high
morale among team members. However, other scholars believe that this type of
leadership may not be suitable for competitive situations where other leaders compete
with servant leaders.
Other leadership styles include:
8 Coach Style – Identifying and nurturing individual strength.
9 Charismatic leadership- employs charisma to motivate followers.
10 Strategic leadership- leads the company in main operations and coordinate its growth
opportunities.
Why is leadership important?
1 vision
Successful leadership creates a clear vision of what the organization can achieve.
Leaders provide a roadmap outlining the steps and resources their company needs to
arrive at the preferred destination.
2 Communications.
It helps to communicate the vision and missions of the firm to employees, thus providing
direction and helps everybody identify the roles that best fit skills and experience.
3 Decision making
Successful leadership makes the best decision for the organization in all situations.
Leaders are experts at making the right decisions based on the prevailing circumstances.
4 Passion
Leaders are passionate about their vision and infect others with their energy to achieve it.
5 Guidance
Once employees know what to do deliver on projects, effective leaders over see their
work to ensure they perform their roles effectively. Leader make sure employee efforts
align with organizational goals for improved efficiency.
6 Commitments

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 Effective leaders are committed to the success of their organization and its employees.
They remain focused on the company’s long –term goals and do not allow temporary
setbacks to deepen their spirits. When they face a setback, good leaders motivate their
teams and motivate them.
7 Integrity
Successful leadership teaches the organization ethical values. Regardless of their problems,
successful leaders do the right things to achieve their goals. For them, integrity, trustfulness
and fairness are attributes they want to see in their company and its relations with contactors
and client.
8 Confidences
Leaders help subordinates to excel at their work and every aspect of life by expressing
confidence in their abilities. They listen to employees’ worries about their work, provide
positive feedback, and ensure the office environment bring out the best in them.
9 Morale
Leaders boost staff morale by winning their trust. It assures employees of the leader’s confidence
in their abilities to deliver on the vision and mission of the organization. High morale among
employees reduces distraction and motivates them to devote their energies to achieving
organizational goals.
10 Growth
The best leaders create an environment where others can grow. They are open to ideas and
methods of achieving results and are flexible enough to admit their mistakes. Successful leaders
encourage subordinates to deliver well.