Many small businesses fail in just their first year. One of the most common problems that lead to failure is a lack of strong leadership.
When most people think of "strong leadership" they think of a leadership style that involves discipline and authoritarianism. However, there are many different types of leadership styles that can wind up strong if applied correctly.
In today’s blog, we’ll walk you through a few different leadership styles, so you can analyze which one is best for you and, most importantly, your team.
Democratic Leadership
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the authoritarian leader is a democratic leader. This type of leader will consider the opinions and beliefs of all of the members of their team before they make a decision.
This style of leadership is best for times when new, creative ideas are needed. If you're looking to create a new product, design a new program, or strike out on a new brand image, it's best to consult with a group of people. If you've hired the right people, you should be able to rely on them to help you move your company forward.
Authoritative Leadership
In times of crisis, an authoritative leadership style can be best. Authoritative leaders can make quick decisions and alter the choices their company is making on a whim. Sometimes, a business needs to move fast, and this is the quickest way to make them operate.
Authoritative leadership can also work when executing a creative project. Once the idea has already been set, the authoritative leader can blaze the path for the employees to follow — so long as they're an expert in their field.
However, for the creation of ideas, an authoritative leader usually doesn't work.
Coaching Leadership
Coaching leadership is a style that's best for peaceful times. A coaching leader won't tell the company what to do as a group but will instead focus on improving each individual. A coaching leader focuses on communication, which is one of the most valuable work skills.
This personalized attention can make your workers more productive. Workers who feel appreciated are more likely to work harder. This means that when the time comes to take on a creative task, they're more likely to come up with great ideas. It also means they're more likely to trust you and follow you when you need to take an authoritative style.
A coaching leader is a good transitional leadership style for companies that can focus on employee development. It can also help to focus on employee training.
Focus on Your Leadership Style
Different leadership styles benefit different companies at different times. We recommend shifting your leadership style based on the project and the stage of the process.
Democratic leadership is best for idea generation, authoritative leadership is best for execution, and coaching leadership is best for ensuring that your employees can perform well during these times.
For more information on how Coursetter can bring your leadership skills to the next level, get in touch with us today.