How to Master the Four Leadership Styles and Become a Better Leader

What are the four situational leadership styles? Indeed, leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Different situations and people require different approaches and behaviors from leaders. That’s why it’s essential for leaders to be flexible and adaptable and to master the four leadership styles: direct, coach, support, and delegate.

What are the four leadership styles?

The four leadership styles are based on two dimensions: the amount of direction and support that leaders provide to their team members. The brief overview of each type is as follows:

• Directing is indicated by high direction and low support. Leaders who use this style tell their team members what to do, how to do it, and when. They also provide clear instructions, expectations, and feedback. This style suits team members who are new, inexperienced, or need more confidence and guidance from their leaders.

• Coaching is marked by high direction and high support. Thus, the leaders who use this style teach their team members how to do their tasks, explain their reasons, and encourage them to learn and improve. Similarly, they provide instruction, feedback, and recognition. It is suitable for situations where team members have some skills and knowledge but need more development and motivation from their leaders.

• Supporting is characterized by low direction and high support. In fact, the ones who use this ask their team members what they need, listen to their ideas and concerns, and help them solve problems. Also, they provide support, encouragement, and empowerment. Moreover, it suits team members with high skills and knowledge but needs more confidence and autonomy from their leaders.

• Delegating is characterized by low direction and low support. Managers who use this style let their team members decide what to do, how, and when. Furthermore, they provide minimal guidance, feedback, and intervention. Also, it is suitable for situations where team members have high skills, knowledge, confidence, and motivation and need freedom and responsibility from their leaders.

How can leaders master the four leadership styles?

Mastering the four leadership styles means using each technique effectively and appropriately according to the situation and the person. Here are some tips on how to master the four leadership styles as a leader:

• Consider the situation. The first step is to understand the nature of the task, the goal, the deadline, the resources, the risks, and the challenges involved. Similarly, it will help you determine the level of direction and support that you need to provide as a leader.
• Assess the person. The second step is understanding your team member or group’s skills, knowledge, experience, confidence, motivation, personality, preferences, and expectations. Likewise, it will help you determine the level of direction and support they need from you as a leader.
• Choose the style. The third step is to select the leadership style that is most effective for the situation and the person. You can use the following formula as a guide to choose the best technique for each condition and person:

1. Direct = simple/urgent; new/inexperienced/low confidence; some skills/ knowledge/need development
2. Coach= complex/ non-urgent;new/inexperienced/low confidence; some skills/ knowledge/need development
3. Support= simple/urgent; complex/ non-urgent; high skills/ knowledge/ need confidence
4. Delegate= simple/urgent; complex/ non-urgent; high skills/ knowledge/ confidence/ motivation

*Situation/Person- Simple/ Urgent or Complex/ Non-urgent

• Apply the style. The fourth step is to apply the chosen leadership style in your communication and behavior with your team member or group. You can use the following tips to apply each type effectively:

1. Direct. First, be clear, concise, and specific. Provide step-by-step instructions, expectations, and deadlines. Next, monitor progress and performance closely. Then, give frequent and timely feedback. Also, avoid micromanaging or being too authoritarian.
2. Coach. Secondly, be supportive, encouraging, and constructive. Equip explanations, examples, and demonstrations. Also, ask open-ended questions and listen actively. Then, give opportunities for practice and improvement. Recognize achievements and potential.
3. Support. Thirdly, be empathetic, respectful, and empowering. Invite for input, ideas, and feedback. As well as that, listen attentively and acknowledge feelings. Next, help to solve problems and overcome obstacles. Then, encourage autonomy and self-reliance.
4. Delegate. Fourthly, be trusting, confident, and respectful. Explain the task’s goal, scope, and criteria and delegate authority and responsibility. Finally, supply minimal guidance and intervention and give recognition and appreciation.

How can leaders improve their leadership styles?

Improving your leadership style means using each technique more effectively and appropriately according to the situation and the person. Some tips on how to improve your leadership styles as a leader are as follows:

• Seek feedback. Feedback is receiving information about your performance, behavior, or impact from others. Hence, it helps you gain insight into your strengths, areas for improvement, and how others perceive you. Also, it allows you to learn from mistakes, celebrate successes, and grow as a leader.
• Reflect on your experience. Reflection is the process of thinking deeply about your experience, actions, feelings, and outcomes. Thus, it helps you to understand what worked well and what didn’t, why it happened, and what you can do differently next time. In addition, it lets you identify your values, beliefs, assumptions, and biases.
• Learn from others. Learning from others is the process of observing, imitating, or interacting with other leaders who have different or better leadership styles than you. It will help you expand your perspective, challenge assumptions, overcome biases, and discover new leadership methods.
• Practice deliberately. Practice is applying your knowledge and skills in actual or simulated situations. As a result, it helps you to improve your competence, confidence, and performance as a leader. Training also allows you to develop new habits, behaviors, and mindsets.

Conclusion

Truly, leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Different situations and people require different approaches and behaviors from leaders. That’s why it’s essential for leaders to be flexible and adaptable and to master the four leadership styles: direct, coach, support, and delegate.

Also, by mastering the four situational leadership styles, you can become a better leader who can communicate effectively, motivate efficiently, foster innovation creatively, increase well-being positively, and achieve results successfully.

If you have any questions, comments, or additional information about the seven core skills of a leader, feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you at the next one.

References:

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and Practice (9th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Blanchard, K., & Hersey, P. (2019, June 24). The Situational Leadership Model: A Guide for Leaders. The Ken Blanchard Companies. https://higdoncenter.cofc.edu/documents/The%20Situational%20Leadership%20Model.pdf?ssp=1&darkschemeovr=1&setlang=ja-JP&safesearch=moderate

Goleman, D. (2017, March 15). Leadership That Gets Results. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2000/03/leadership-that-gets-results

Taylor, B. (2016, August 3). The 4 Leadership Styles and How to Identify Yours. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/08/the-4-leadership-styles-and-how-to-identify-yours

Maxwell, J. C. (20o7). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (Revised and Updated 10th Anniversary Edition). HarperCollins Leadership.