In the world of leadership, many believe that the key to success lies in having a distinct leadership style—a signature way of leading that others must adapt to. This mindset is all too common, with leaders expecting their teams to get in line with their particular approach, assuming that consistency in style equates to effective leadership.
However, after years of leading high-performing teams, I’ve come to see things differently. True leadership isn't about forcing your team to fit into your mold; it’s about adapting your leadership style to meet the needs of your team, both as a whole and as individuals. Just as we don't raise all children the same way, handle every difficulty with the same approach, or even joke and banter with all friends in the same manner, why would we treat our teams any differently?
Being a human-centered leader requires us to embrace flexibility and adaptability. Every person on your team is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and ways of working. By recognizing and responding to these differences, you can create a more inclusive, supportive, and ultimately more successful team.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore 12 distinct leadership styles, diving deep into their pros and cons. We’ll discuss when to use each style to best serve your team and how to avoid the common pitfall of weaponizing these styles to control or manipulate others.
If you’re eager to explore your leadership style in more depth or want to grow your (or your team’s) human-centered leadership skills, I invite you to contact me at leahfarmer.com or book a free discovery call.
Join me on this journey of leadership growth, and let's work together to build stronger, more adaptable, and more human-centered leaders.