Behind a great team is a great leader. Today we share different perspectives about leadership styles and management skills to improve team-building inside your brand.
Leadership inside businesses is often mistaken with an aggressive behavior and a straightforward way of executing things. This idea is an inaccurate representation of what leadership really is, as there is no single way of doing things “well” within companies. Each manager is different and prioritizes different aspects from their perspective.
To become a leader, we must inspire the community and not the other way around. We must avoid mischievous tactics and establish fear inside our organization as this is a dead end for any balanced relationship.
The actions and utterances of leaders frame and shape the context of the organization since its members recognize them as a point of reference for their actions or for making new decisions. According to authors Smircich and Morgan, “leadership is a tangible social process” by viewing it as a “relationship between traits, roles, and behaviors”, they argue that leadership is “a power-based reality construction.”
There are different types of leadership within companies, according to certain variables such as the objectives of the company, the degree of responsibility, the type of influence on the group, and the way we contribute to improving teamwork.
To show effectiveness in the business field depends on many factors, however, the main goal of any leader is to unlock the potential and creativity of others.
The Importance of Leadership in Brands and Teams
According to authors Winston and Patterson in An Integrative Definition of Leadership,a “leader is one or more people who select, equips, trains, and influences one or more follower(s) who have diverse gifts, abilities, and skills and focuses the follower(s) to the organization’s mission and objectives causing the follower(s) to willingly and enthusiastically expend spiritual, emotional, and physical energy in a concerted coordinated effort to achieve the organizational mission and objectives”.
7 Leadership Styles to Motivate Your Team
There are several management “styles” if you are willing to motivate your team. Find below characteristics regarding each leadership style and how to implement it.
- Participative-Democratic
This type of leadership values participation and asks for input and considers feedback from their team. It fosters employee engagement and creates spaces for the exchange of information and discussion. This type of leadership is ideal for creative organizations. As a leader you should try to provide all information and be transparent with the team and create spaces where everybody can share their point of view.
- Coaching
This type of leadership motivates individuals by linking their daily work to their dreams and long-term plans. It fosters their confidence and prepares them to work more autonomously. It is adequate to increase the professional development of individuals. To implement it, be supportive, offer guidance instead of giving orders, promote spaces for new skills, free-thinking, and try to become a mentor.
- Visionary
This type of leadership cultivates a strong organizational bond. It enables driving progress by inspiring employees on how they can contribute to the organization’s purpose. This type of leadership fits risk-takers, social innovators, and good communicators. It is helpful for small or fast-growing organizations and any business that is going through corporate restructuring. Influence others, unite teams, hold to the big picture to share your vision with others.
- Transactional
This type of leadership values structures and clear processes. It focuses on results, supervision, and sharp organization. It fosters a laser-focused in performance and incentives. The short plan is to get the goal and enjoy the reward, as the style does not analyze long-term scenarios. This leadership is useful for sales departments of revenue. You can develop an incentives plan for sales associates and do monthly reviews.
- Transformational
This type of leadership focuses on a strong commitment to organizational objectives. It has a similar approach as the coaching style; however, it trains and inspires people to archive larger goals and giant results as this style defines more challenging situations and it can mobilize people to believe in higher performance.
- Laissez-faire
This type of leadership involves building a strong, highly-skilled, and well-educated team to delegate and afterward pursue other projects. It fosters independence, freedom with almost no supervision. This type of management usually works for highly creative businesses or startups, where a trust base is mandatory to pursue goals and objectives. Also, team-building is the key to success as this type of leadership sometimes does not fit all people.
- Affiliative
This type of leadership creates harmony among individuals no matter their rank. It fosters the human and emotional bond providing support during highly routine or stressful times. This style strategically gains loyalty and support from employees. Empathy and sympathizing with others are important qualities to lead. Provide social activities and encourage appreciative behaviors.
Brands are made of people. A strong leadership-oriented organization can boost originality and efficiency in team members. Growing your team’s confidence will create a safe work environment where people will feel appreciated and committed to long-term goals.
Do you want to learn more about this topic? Find more in the Marketing and Communications for Fashion & Luxury Brands program.