Wondering what types of leadership styles drive growth and success. Or what are your best leadership styles for scaling a small business? Are you thinking about taking a leadership style quiz? Let’s explore the types of leadership styles that inspire your team and drive action. We’ll examine which types of leadership styles help your team reach their full potential.
Popular Types of Leadership Styles
Hey, it’s Ryan Zofay. Over the years, I have built a business worth nine figures at We Level Up Lake Worth Treatment Centers. I have also mentored thousands of people. Many people, both experienced leaders and new entrepreneurs, often ask, “What is the secret to great leadership?” My answer is always the same: there isn’t just one secret. There isn’t a single, perfect leadership style that guarantees success. I have learned that the best leaders know themselves well. They can change their leadership styles to match their team and the situation.
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My journey from tragedy and addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur has taught me a lot about leadership. I now help lead a team of over 600 people. This experience has given me more lessons than any textbook could. It’s a journey of deep personal transformation. I had to learn to lead myself before I could effectively lead others. I had to understand my own strengths, weaknesses, and triggers. It’s this personal development work that allows you to show up authentically and connect with your team on a human level.
My good friend and fellow business pro, Guy Shapira, and I often talk about this. We’ve seen so many different leadership and management styles in action. Some leaders rule with an iron fist, while others empower their teams to take the lead. The truth is, different situations call for different leadership styles and approaches. What works for a creative startup might not work for a military unit. What motivates one employee might demotivate another.
This guide is designed to help you explore the various types of leadership styles. We’ll break down the most common types of leadership styles. We’ll reveal leadership styles strengths and weaknesses with real-world insights. My goal is to help you find the types of leadership styles that match your personality. I also want to show you which leadership styles you can develop. This will help you become a more versatile and effective leader. Let’s dive in and start this journey of self-discovery together.
What Are Leadership Styles?
Before we explore the different leadership styles, let’s get on the same page about what they are. A leadership style is essentially your method—your characteristic way of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people. It’s the “how” behind your leadership.
Your style is shaped by your personality, your experiences, and your core beliefs. Are you someone who needs to be in control, or do you trust your team to manage themselves? Do you focus on big-picture goals or the day-to-day tasks? The answers to these questions start to paint a picture of your natural leadership tendencies.
But here’s a crucial point: your leadership style isn’t set in stone. It’s a skill set you can develop. By learning about different leadership styles, you can choose the best approach for any challenge. This adaptability is what separates good leaders from great ones.
The Top 10 Types of Leadership Styles in Management
To help you on your path to self-improvement, Guy and I have broken down top ten of the most prevalent leadership management styles. As you read through them, think about which one feels most like you and which ones you could learn from.
1. Autocratic Leadership Style (or Authoritarian Leadership Style)
The autocratic leadership style is a top-down method. In this style, the leader has all the power and makes decisions alone. Think of a classic military general or an old-school factory boss. They give clear orders and expect them to be followed without question.
My Take: I’ve seen this style work in high-stakes, crisis situations where there’s no time for debate. When a quick, decisive action is needed to steer the ship out of a storm, an autocratic leader can be a lifesaver. However, in my experience, relying on this style long-term is a recipe for low morale. It stifles creativity and makes people feel like cogs in a machine rather than valued team members. People need to feel seen and heard to do their best work.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Enables rapid decision-making | Can stifle team creativity and innovation |
| Provides clear direction and expectations | May lead to low employee morale and engagement |
| Effective in crises or high-pressure scenarios | Creates a high dependency on the leader. |
Autocratic Leadership Style Nursing Example: In emergency rooms or critical situations, an autocratic leadership style is useful. It helps leaders make quick decisions. These decisions can save lives.
2. Democratic Leadership Style (or Participative Leadership Style)
The democratic leadership style is all about collaboration. Leaders who use this style actively involve their team members in decision-making. They value input, encourage discussion, and build consensus before moving forward.
My Take: This is a style I lean into often. When you invite your team to the table, you’re not just getting more ideas—you’re getting buy-in. People who feel they have a say in the company’s direction are more invested in its success. It fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. The main challenge is that it can slow things down. If you need to move fast, you might need to blend this with a more decisive approach.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Boosts team engagement and job satisfaction | The decision-making process can be slow |
| Encourages creativity and diverse perspectives | May lead to conflict if there’s no consensus |
| Builds a strong sense of team ownership | Not ideal for situations requiring quick decisions |
Democratic Leadership Style Example: Medical practice managers use democratic leadership in policy development or quality improvement committees to gather insights from staff.
3. Laissez-Faire Leadership Style (or Delegative Leadership Style)
Laissez-faire is French for “let them do,” and that perfectly sums up this hands-off leadership style. These leaders trust their teams completely, providing resources and guidance when asked but otherwise staying out of the way. They empower their people to take full ownership of their work.
My Take: This style can be incredibly powerful, but only with the right team. If you have a group of highly skilled, self-motivated experts, giving them autonomy can lead to amazing innovation. But if your team is inexperienced or lacks direction, a laissez-faire approach can quickly lead to chaos and missed deadlines. I learned this the hard way early in my career. You have to be honest about your team’s capabilities before you can truly let go of the reins.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Fosters creativity and personal responsibility | Can lead to a lack of direction and focus |
| Empowers highly skilled and motivated teams | May result in low productivity with less motivated teams |
| Promotes a culture of trust and autonomy | Not suitable for teams that need consistent guidance |
Delegative Leadership Style Example: Senior officers mentoring experienced subordinates may adopt this style, giving autonomy for real time real world on the groud hazardous operations.
4. Transformational Leadership Style
Transformational leaders are the visionaries. They inspire and motivate their teams to achieve extraordinary things by painting a compelling picture of the future. They challenge the status quo and push their people to grow beyond their own perceived limits.
My Take: This is the heart of what I do as a coach and an entrepreneur. I believe in helping people unlock their potential. A transformational leader connects the team’s daily work to a greater purpose. This is not just about meeting quarterly goals. It is about changing the industry, making a difference, and becoming our best selves. The risk? Burnout is real. When you always push for more, you must think about your team’s well-being. Make sure they have the support they need to keep performing well.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Inspires a strong sense of purpose and commitment | High expectations can lead to employee burnout |
| Drives long-term growth and innovation | Can lose focus on short-term, necessary tasks |
| Fosters personal and professional development | Relies heavily on the leader’s vision and charisma |
Transformational Leadership Style Example: Inspirational leaders implementing corporate-wide culture changes often rely on transformational leadership to inspire staff.
5. Transactional Leadership Style
The transactional leadership style operates on a clear system of rewards and punishments. It’s a simple deal: if you meet your goals, you get a reward, like a bonus or promotion. If you don’t meet them, there will be consequences. This style is focused on maintaining order and achieving specific, short-term objectives.
Our Take: Guy and I think this style is useful. It works well in sales or manufacturing where performance is easy to measure. Clear expectations and incentives can be powerful motivators. However, transactional leadership rarely inspires loyalty or passion. It’s about the “what’s in it for me” mentality. If you want a team that goes the extra mile because they believe in the mission, you need to offer more than just carrots and sticks.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Effective for achieving short-term goals | Less effective at inspiring long-term engagement |
| Provides clear structure and expectations | Can stifle creativity and out-of-the-box thinking |
| Motivates through clear rewards | Doesn’t build deep loyalty or a strong team culture |
Transactional Leadership Style Example: Factory supervisors may use transactional methods to enforce compliance with work shift schedules or protocol adherence for safety.
6. Servant Leadership Style
A servant leader flips the traditional leadership pyramid upside down. Their primary focus is serving their team’s needs. They work to remove obstacles, provide resources, and help their people grow and develop. The leader’s success is measured by the team’s success and well-being.
My Take: This style resonates deeply with me. My entire philosophy is built on helping others level up. When your team knows you genuinely have their back—that their growth is your priority—they will move mountains for you. It builds incredible trust and loyalty. The challenge is that a servant leader can sometimes be seen as less authoritative, which might be an issue in environments that require strict control. It’s a balance between serving and leading.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Fosters a supportive and collaborative environment | Decision-making can be slower due to focus on consensus |
| Leads to high morale, trust, and employee loyalty | May not be effective in highly competitive or crisis situations |
| Promotes personal and professional growth for team members | The leader’s own needs may be overlooked |
Servant Leadership Style Example: Managers who focus on staff well-being and career development demonstrate servant leadership.
7. Coaching Leadership Style
The coaching leadership style is focused on developing people. Like a sports coach, this leader identifies their team members’ strengths and weaknesses and works with them to improve their skills. They see potential in everyone and invest time in nurturing it.
My Take: This is another style I use daily in my coaching practice. It’s about asking the right questions rather than giving all the answers. “What do you think is the best approach here?” “What support do you need to succeed?” This approach empowers people to think for themselves and builds their confidence. It’s a long-term investment that pays off with a more capable and independent team. It requires patience and a genuine desire to see others succeed.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Develops long-term skills and capabilities in the team | Can be time-consuming and requires significant investment |
| Empowers employees and boosts their confidence | Less effective for tasks requiring immediate completion |
| Improves team performance and engagement over time | May not work with employees who are resistant to feedback |
Coaching Leadership Style Example: Preceptors and educators use coaching leadership to train new students effectively.
8. Situational Leadership Style
A situational leader is the ultimate chameleon. They don’t have one fixed style. Instead, they assess the situation’s needs and the development level of their team members, and adapt their approach accordingly. They might be a coach for an experienced employee working on a new skill, but more autocratic for a new hire learning the ropes.
My Take: This, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of effective leadership and management styles. It requires a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. You have to read the room, understand what your people need, and be flexible enough to switch gears. It’s not easy, but mastering situational leadership allows you to be the right leader at the right time, every time. It’s a goal every leader should strive for.
Situational Leadership Style Example: Top managers adjusting leadership style for a new hire versus an experienced legacy employee in the same department.
9. Charismatic Leadership Style
Charismatic leaders rely on personal charm and energy to inspire others. They motivate through enthusiasm and confidence.
My Take: Can energize teams and rally people around a vision, but outcomes often depend heavily on the leader’s personality.
Strengths / Weaknesses:
- Highly motivating
- Builds strong loyalty
- Risk of dependency on leader
- May overlook practical details
Nursing Example: Nurse leaders who rally staff during hospital campaigns or public health initiatives often leverage charisma to inspire commitment.
10. Bureaucratic Leadership Style
Bureaucratic leaders strictly follow rules, policies, and procedures.
My Take: Ensures consistency and compliance, especially in regulated environments, but may limit flexibility and innovation.
Strengths / Weaknesses:
- Ensures compliance and order
- Reduces risk of errors
- Inflexible and slow to adapt
- Can stifle innovation
Bureaucratic Leadership Style Example: Managers in highly regulated areas, like labs, hospitals or pharamacies, often rely on bureaucratic leadership to maintain safety standards.
Chart of the Top 10 Leadership Styles for Management Success
| Style | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Autocratic | Quick decisions | Low morale |
| Democratic | Engagement | Slow decisions |
| Laissez-Faire | Autonomy | Lack of direction |
| Transformational | Inspires innovation | Risk of burnout |
| Transactional | Clear expectations | Low loyalty |
| Servant | High trust | Slow decisions |
| Coaching | Develops skills | Time-consuming |
| Situational | Flexible | Requires EQ |
| Charismatic | Motivating | Leader-dependent |
| Bureaucratic | Compliance | Inflexible |
Which Leadership Style is Right for You?
So, after reading through these different leadership styles, you might be wondering, “Which one am I?” There’s no simple leadership style quiz that can give you a definitive answer, because the best leaders are a blend of multiple styles.
However, you can start by reflecting on these questions:
- What are your natural tendencies? Are you more of a director or a collaborator?
- What does your team need? Is your team experienced and self-sufficient, or do they need more guidance?
- What does the situation demand? Are you in a crisis that requires quick decisions, or are you in a creative phase where brainstorming is key?
To help you on your journey of personal development, I’ve put together some resources on my website. You can find everything from a free Enneagram test to a review of the 16 Personalities test, which can provide deeper insights into your personality and how it shapes your leadership approach.
Take the Next Step in Your Leadership Journey
Understanding the different types of leadership styles is just the beginning. The real work comes from applying this knowledge, practicing new approaches, and continuously seeking to improve. I’ve built my career on the belief that anyone can transform their life and their leadership with the right mindset and tools.
It’s not about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about expanding your toolkit so you can show up as the most effective, authentic, and inspiring leader you can be. It’s about learning to serve, to guide, and to empower those around you.
If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, I invite you to explore the events and workshops I host. These are immersive experiences designed to help you break through limiting beliefs and build the skills you need to thrive. Let’s unlock your full potential—together.
Unique Resources List
- Free Enneagram Test Online
- 16 Personalities Test Review Guide
- The Best Emotional Intelligence Test Free Online
- Join Ryan Zofay’s Events, Seminars, and Workshops
- Business Coaching Secrets Podcast for Entrepreneurs
