A leader is a powerful asset to any team in various contexts and settings. However, it can be difficult to know what's expected from you if you are leading a group of people.
Those from various educational and professional backgrounds may find themselves asking 'what type of leader am I', especially if they are asked to take on a leadership role. Identifying what type of leader you are is crucial to leading a more confident and self-aware team of people.
What defines a good leader?
People who wonder 'what kind of leader am I' usually want to become a good leader but don't know what it entails. A good leader is someone who will take their role seriously in order to lead their team to success without being dogmatic. These individuals will be inspirational, rational, mindful, and empathetic, treating every member as an individual.
Every good leader will follow their own example to set the standard for their group. For example, they will stick to deadlines and complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner. They should also go out of their way to make their team feel heard and understood.
Furthermore, what separates a good leader from an average leader is their ability to communicate effectively. Communication is essential in group dynamics, and a leader is responsible for ensuring that there are no communication barriers. If a leader doesn't communicate effectively, this can lead to misunderstandings, which can be detrimental for progression within a workplace.
Having the right mindset is also something that a good leader will prioritise. These individuals will understand that they will be confronted with challenges and setbacks, but they won't let it shake their confidence. Instead, good leaders will construct a plan and stick to it to ensure they bounce back quickly.
Are leaders born or made?
When someone is asked 'what type of leader are you' or 'what sort of leader are you', they may believe that they cannot change their leadership style because they are born with it. Whether leaders are born or made has been a topic for many years. Some believe that everyone is born with certain qualities that will make them become good leaders, such as confidence and decisiveness.
Alternatively, others propose that everyone has the potential to become a powerful leader with the right training and development. For example, if someone is not good at communicating, there are ways to become more direct and transparent when interacting and directing others, which, in turn, can make you a better leader.
Of course, there is also a common view that a good leader will be born with certain qualities that can be nurtured through coaching and practice to make them good leaders. It's worth noting that some people are good leaders in some aspects of their life, such as relationships, but they may take a backseat in their career. Therefore, these people may need to be taught how to translate their leadership skills from one field to another.
How do you identify your own leadership style?
Identifying your leadership style is a form of self-evaulation that allows you to get an insight into your leadership methods. For those pondering 'what sort of leader am I,' or 'what type of leader am i,' it may be useful to know that there are ways to find out your leadership style.
Firstly, it's a good idea to reflect on how you have led others in the past. This means thinking about what approach you adopted as well as how your team reacted to your methods. While some people like to take a more liberal approach, others prefer to be strict and regimental.
Additionally, you can ask other people for their feedback, especially those you have led, as they will be able to give you an unbiased review of their personal experience under your leadership. These reviews can give you an indication of what you did right and areas you need to focus on improving.
There are also many online assessments you can take to help you narrow down your leadership style. You may be asked a series of questions leading to receive an in-depth analysis of how you lead others.
What is the best leadership style?
For those who want to find out what the best leadership style is, it's important to note that there is no specific type of leadership style that is regarded as the best. As every team is different, the best leadership style for that situation largely depends on context and the specific requirements of a team. For example, while one setting may be suited to authoritative leadership, democratic leadership may suit another.
To determine the best leadership style that suits your team, it's important to take into consideration what every member of the team requires and how they would prefer to be led. In certain situations, your leadership style may need to be adapted, and a good leader will know when it's appropriate to do so.
Find out your leadership style with Leadership Success
At leadership success, we can help you to identify and develop your leadership style. With leadership assessments, guides, 1-to-1 coaching, and feedback, we can support you while you refine your leadership approach. If you are keen to understand what sort of leader you are, why not get in touch with our knowledgeable team today?
Working alongside a varied network of expert delivery partners, we provide both practical assessment services as well as coach-led development programs to support emerging, frontline, and middle managers.
Our external partners give you the confidence to identify and work through a wide range of leadership issues by creating a safe, confidential environment and providing you with an objective point of view.
To speak to one of our helpful team members about your leadership development requirements, simply give us a call today on 02045292622.
You can also send your email enquiry to hello@leadershipsuccess.co or send a quick message to any one of our social media accounts.
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