Download Your Free Whitepaper on Develop your Managers into Leaders
Your managers are the connector between your employees and your overall mission and vision. They are the ones who will convey your goals and mission to the broader team, so knowing how to identify true leadership can improve your business performance.
What are the different leadership styles?

Every leader has a style they connect to most, but it is important to know that you will rarely achieve success by relying on just one single style. Each team, individual, and business is different. Leaders who are able to leverage all of these styles at varying points in their careers will typically see greater success in their careers, and will have an easier time meeting targets and goals with their teams.
Importantly, every employee and department may rely on a different coaching style, so to paint them with the same brush would be detrimental to their success.
Four examples of leadership styles are: Commanding, Visionary, Affiliative, and Democratic. Each of these styles has a place in the work environment, but each of these styles can also be misplaced. A commanding leader, for example, demands immediate compliance. This may be effective during times of emergency, but would be damaging if used during daily business practices. The visionary style of leadership is a motivating style that works by showing employees how their work fits into the broader picture of the business and its goals. Employees may flourish under this leadership style, however, it has some limitations in areas where the leader is working with other experts.
The Affiliative leadership style revolves around people, where you will see a leader value the individual and their emotions more so than tasks and goals. Employees are responsive and fiercely loyal under this approach, however, objectives may suffer. The democratic leadership style involves inclusivity and collaboration, where leaders are encouraging input from their team before they are making decisions. This leader may create a very collaborative workplace, however, this style can also lead to endless meetings or stunted plans.
Download your free whitepaper to find out more about these leadership styles, and to hear about other styles that many leaders utilise.

Every leader has a style they connect to most, but it is important to know that you will rarely achieve success by relying on just one single style. Each team, individual, and business is different. Leaders who are able to leverage all of these styles at varying points in their careers will typically see greater success in their careers, and will have an easier time meeting targets and goals with their teams.
Importantly, every employee and department may rely on a different coaching style, so to paint them with the same brush would be detrimental to their success.
Four examples of leadership styles are: Commanding, Visionary, Affiliative, and Democratic. Each of these styles has a place in the work environment, but each of these styles can also be misplaced. A commanding leader, for example, demands immediate compliance. This may be effective during times of emergency, but would be damaging if used during daily business practices. The visionary style of leadership is a motivating style that works by showing employees how their work fits into the broader picture of the business and its goals. Employees may flourish under this leadership style, however, it has some limitations in areas where the leader is working with other experts.
The Affiliative leadership style revolves around people, where you will see a leader value the individual and their emotions more so than tasks and goals. Employees are responsive and fiercely loyal under this approach, however, objectives may suffer. The democratic leadership style involves inclusivity and collaboration, where leaders are encouraging input from their team before they are making decisions. This leader may create a very collaborative workplace, however, this style can also lead to endless meetings or stunted plans.
Download your free whitepaper to find out more about these leadership styles, and to hear about other styles that many leaders utilise.
Why is leadership development important?

The manager administers; the leader innovates.

The manager does things right, the leader does the right thing.

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The manager has short range view; the leader has a long range perspective.

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The manager maintains, the leader develops.

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The manager administers; the leader innovates.

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The manager has short range view; the leader has a long range perspective.

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The manager does things right, the leader does the right thing.

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The manager maintains, the leader develops.
Common questions on leadership development
Can a leadership development program improve leadership skills?
Yes, a leadership development program can help identify future leaders in your business, while providing a pathway for good leaders to become great leaders. Leadership development programs provide guiding principles on leadership skills, and nurture leadership competencies.
What leadership skills should business leaders have for professional development?
Leaders are pivotal for both businesses and employees, and they act as the connector between the two. Because of this, it is important that leaders have hard and soft skills that protect the employee relationship. This includes generating employee engagement, knowing how to identify and retain talent, implementing talent development, navigating change, and knowing where to make a positive impact with high performing employees
What critical skills help with developing leadership competencies?
Senior leaders will need critical skills and leadership abilities such as communication skills, self awareness, and strategy execution. Those in leadership positions should also focus on employee engagement, how to spot the next generation of leaders, and will know how to develop skills and improve personal growth as they work.
What are leadership development programs?
ย Leadership development programs are designed to help build an individual’s leadership skill and capacity to improve on their professional development. Leadership development programs are research-based and build needed competencies while preparing leaders to overcome any workplace challenges.
Need more help?
All advice is general in nature, for advice specific to your situation, please get in touch with one of our HR Partners.
Our team at Employment Innovations are able to offer tailored workplace advice. If you need any assistance with payroll processing, employment contracts, Modern Awards, enterprise agreements, workplace advice or require access to our full HR document library, contact us to speak with one of our HR experts.
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