
There are countless leadership styles but they can be effectively understood when graphed against two axis, the authority of the leader and the autonomy of the team. As the authority and control of the leader rises, the efficiency in terms of time and output increases but the engagement in terms of the team connection and ownership usually decreases. While an empowered team with high autonomy may generate team engagement and task ownership, without leadership direction, the efficiency and productivity usually decreases.
The model below shows diagraphically and empirically that the ideal leadership styles are those with an engaged autonomous team, yet with the efficiency and productivity that comes through active leadership.
Based on the scores provided (a measure of both efficiency and engagement), in order of total performance and from highest to lowest, the preferred leadership styles go in this order:
- 1. Empowering
- 2. Delegating
- 3. Participating
- 4. Collaborating
- 5. Guiding
- 6. Coordinating
- 7. Advising
- 8. Directing
- 9. Controlling.
http://leadership.org.au/resources/leadership-models-tools/
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