Exploring Leadership Styles

ROBERT KENNEDY OCHIENG

EXPLORING LEADERSHIP STYLES        

Introduction

Leadership is a continuous action of guiding a group of people in order to achieve a set objective. A leader should have ideals that appeal to the group alongside traits that would help him out across these ideals.

The leadership style that appeals to me the most is the transformational style. This style seeks to create a positive change in individuals and social systems. It is an ideal that seeks to create positive change within followers with the end goal of converting followers into leaders.

I am attracted to this style of leadership most because I see it as a self-propagating style is carried out effectively.

Characteristics of transformative leadership

• Individualized consideration – the degree of empathy and individual attention accorded to followers as well as challenges laid down before each follower. It is the appreciation for the individual effort each member makes for the team.
• Intellectual stimulation - the degree to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks and prompts ideas from the followers. This style encourages followers to think independently and creatively. It encourages continuous learning among the followers.
• Inspirational motivation– the degree to which the leader communicates and embodies their vision to the extent that it inspires and is appealing to the followers.
• Idealized influence – seeks to be a role model of ethical behavior and gains respect and trust of followers. It is leading by example.

(Kauppi and Liefting et al)

While some characteristics of transformative leaders include:

• They keep their ego in check: transformational leaders are able to control their egos when in positions of power in order to allow the greater group to thrive.
• Self-management: this is the ability to channel internal motivation into the leadership duties without much external supervision. These leaders usually regulate themselves and their actions in order to appeal to the greater group.
• Make difficult decisions: As most transformational leaders are focused on the goals, objectives and values of an organization, they are ready to make difficult decisions to support these values.
• Share collective organizational consciousness: Through their ability to empathize with the rest of the group, these leaders get attuned to the shared feeling within the group and are able to make decisions that get desired actions from their followers.
• Inspirational: Transformational leaders look to inspire others to rise to the occasion through their ability to lead through example as well as understanding what every individual values and use that to motivate them further.
• Entertain new ideas: Transformational leaders are open to new ideas as this is the bedrock that allows them to transform whichever situation they seek to manage. In order to do this they proactively solicit ideas from their group members and use their insights to make decisions.
• Adaptability: In addition to taking in new ideas these leaders are ready to adapt to changing conditions to be able to get ahead of challenging conditions and improve their odds of succeeding in their endeavors.
• Proactive: One requirement for seeking transformation is being proactive in taking in all your approaches.
• Lead with vision: Transformation begins with having a vision of an improved situation from the status quo. They are then able to articulate the vision effectively to their followers in a way that inspires purpose and commitment within them.

("10 Transformational Leadership Characteristics, Attributes And Traits")

Role models

The role models I admire include coaches such as soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti who has won three Champions league trophies at AC Milan and Real Madrid. He is a much sorted coach because he is known for building teams which are optimized for the international cup competitions. I think of him as a transformational leader because each time he gets a new team to manage, he usually gives a detailed analysis of the team and outlines what he would like to achieve with individuals. His teams are known for a solid defense and a fluid attacking unit. And he his teams usually include balon d’or winners. I think of him as a transformational leader because he has been related to the champion’s league which is his specialty and which he works to achieve with every team he works with. He gets a lot of admiration from the players he manages as well as clubs he has worked with and is generally known to be an ‘smooth’ but effective coach.