Eight Essential Elements of Extraordinary Leadership

Leadership 101

This article lays the foundation for the Eight Essential Elements of Extraordinary Leadership Series by presenting a brief review of leadership styles and looking at one positive and one negative aspect of the leadership style.

As you read the article, take note of which of these styles you practice in your leadership. What styles would you like to incorporate into your leadership repertoire?

Laissez Faire Leadership embraces the hands off view that minimizes the amount of direction and face time required.  The team/employee makes the decision, but the leader is responsible for the decision that has been made.

• Positive: Works well with highly trained and motivated direct reports.
• Negative: Many individuals need more direction and empathy.

The feudal lords in Medieval Europe practiced Autocratic Leadership. It is also the style of many current CEOs. The leader tells the team/employee what to do and they do it. The leader takes no advice from others.

• Positive: The leader makes all the decisions which is great if you are the leader.
• Negative: The leader makes all of the decisions, which isn’t great if you’re not the leader.

Participative Leadership is a happy medium between over-controlling (micromanaging) and being disengaged.  The leader includes the team/employee in the decision making process and maintains the final decision making authority.

• Positive: Those able to work for Laizze Faire leaders are generally open to this style too. It provides opportunities for contribution and a direct link to the leader.
• Negative:  The leader often thinks she’s part of the team, but she’s still the leader. It creates tension when the followers aren’t sure if she’s a friend or in charge?

In studies done at The Ohio State University and University of Michigan in the 1950’s discovered that there is no one best style. Extraordinary leaders adjust their style to the situation and to the people being led. Hershey and Blanchard apply this Situational Leadership theory to American Presidents in “Presidential Leadership.”

• Positive: Versatile Leadership style. Presidents become quite skilled at this style. Leaders can balance low and high risk as well as direct and indirect communication.
• Negative: Leader needs to be well versed in the practice of these styles to apply them correctly. Few are.

A Transactional Leader has a by the book approach and emphasizes getting things done within the umbrella of the status quo. This leadership style works totally within the rules. Transactional leaders are usually seen in large bureaucratic organizations.

• Positive: Allows for moments of glory for persons who may not be in future leadership positions.
• Negative: The one time act of leadership can often be mistaken by all as signs of greater leadership potential that may not be there.

Transformational Leaders make change happen in themselves, others, groups and organizations. The leader uses their charisma, which is powerful and difficult to teach.
A Transformational/Visionary Leader defines the future for followers and leads them to it.

• Positive: Creates lasting change, not a one time occurrence or transaction. It is the opposite of transactional leadership.
• Negative: Not best for times of crisis when a more action-oriented style of leadership is needed.

Although transformational leaders may integrate charisma into their leadership style Charismatic Leadership initially was associated with religious icons. Charisma is not developed but it is a character trait. It is very rare to experience true charisma.

• Positive: The charisma can be so strongly influential that the followers attach to the leader and follow the vision in the blinding light of the charisma.
• Negative:  The charisma can be so strongly influential that the followers attach to the leader and follow the vision in the blinding light of the charisma without thinking of their own needs.

A Servant Leader puts the needs of their followers before their own needs. Robert Greenleaf introduced Servant Leadership and founded the Center for Creative Leadership.

• Positive: The leader is mindful that the vision has to be inspiring to the followers own goals, not just his own. The followers feel empowered and purposeful.
• Negative:  This style is often mistaken for being religious based and not accepted by secular organizations. Some organizations are not ready for servant leadership and will not tolerate a management decision to make changes to suit leader’s needs.

This brief review of leadership styles launches the Eight Essential Elements of Extraordinary Leadership Series. The ensuing articles will discuss the elements of extraordinary leadership – Strategic Leadership, Communication, Ethics, Vision, Work/Life Integration, Passion, Developing Others and Coach Approach to Leadership.