Ensuring your team is successful at work means knowing the difference between being a leader and being a manager, and a lot of it has to do with how you communicate, says Robyn Benincasa in a recent post on Fast Company.
Managers and leaders have differing roles, and this can have an influence on company culture and how employees communicate. Managers are those who are facilitators of all members’ success, who ensure team members have everything they need to be happy and productive. Managers coach members through their challenges and recognize them for their great performance, Benincasa says.
Alternatively, a leader can be anyone on the team who stands out, whether that be through their exceptional work, influential style, or creative thinking abilities. The best managers are those who allow leaders to emerge and inspire their teammates to work hard and succeed.
Below are four effective leadership styles that have been uncovered in a 2000 Harvard Business Review study:
1. The pacesetting leader. This type of leader models excellence and self-direction. The pacesetting leader says, “Do as I do, now,” and works best when the team is motivated. This leadership style allows the team to see quick results, but if used extensively, it can overwhelm and smother workers.
2. The coaching leader. These leaders encourage their team members to try their hardest. This style works when the leader helps teammates to build on their personal strengths, but can fail when teammates are defiant and unwilling to change.
3. The democratic leader. Those who employ a democratic style work to build consent through participation. These leaders tend to ask, “What do you think?” This isn’t the best option for leaders in an emergency or crisis situation, when time isn’t available to evaluate the situation or teammates aren’t informed enough to offer an opinion.
You can read more about different leadership styles at the original post here.
What sort of leadership style do you employ? How does your managerial style differ from situation to situation? Share your thoughts below!
