Finding Your [Wonderful & Weird] Leadership Style

I’ve done considerable research on leadership style. Most material on the topic uses similar language about a leader's characteristic behaviors when directing, motivating, guiding, and managing groups of people.

In 1939, a group of researchers led by psychologist Kurt Lewin set out to identify different styles of leadership.



The 3 primary types are: Authoritarian, Participatory, and Delegating.

These can be summed up as: Tell people what things to do, do things with them, and maybe ask people to do things (but maybe not).

Since then, the most effective style of leadership has been dubbed Transformational Leadership.

Transformational leaders are able to motivate and inspire followers and to direct positive changes in groups.

These leaders tend to be emotionally intelligent, energetic, and passionate. They are not only committed to helping the organization achieve its goals, but also to helping group members fulfill their potential.

This sounds immensely better.

It sounds and feels better. Why?

Because transformational leadership requires so much authenticity that the leader must truly embody the transformation themselves.

They must be a product of their product.

Transformational leaders live and breathe the values and commitments of the team.

***What I’m about to say next is very important. Please keep reading.***

You can’t pick up a manual on being a transformational leader and just ‘do’ the behaviors. The work of becoming this type of leaders starts in your personal life and radiates into your work.

Authentic energy, passion, and inspiration comes from a deep personal belief that what you are teaching others really works.

What works for you, will be very personal. It will not be in a 12 step guide to leadership, or a weekend retreat for leaders. It will be sum of the personal practices, beliefs, and values that you have honed over your lifetime.

Your transformational leadership will be rooted in your stories of love and loss. Of pride and passion. Of fear and failure. A team will connect deeply with you when they see your emotions and hear your words in the rally cry.

A team will be inspired to find their unique gifts when they see your quirky blend of talents and style bringing success to the work every day.

A team will follow you into the fire when you trust them because you have been trusted when it mattered.

A team will work through hard times when they see that your grit has been earned through trial and error, sweat and blood.

You cannot ‘behave’ your way into any of this.

Transformational leadership is from the heart. It is leadership born of your unique, wonderful and weird gifts.

I can teach you how to invite this type of leadership into your life.

Executive & Leadership Coaching at www.bauerhousecoaching.com

Reid.....being awesome at leadership