Compare and Contrast Leadership Styles and Theories

Leadership Theory vs. Leadership Style 

Compare and contrast leadership styles and theories. Management specialists develop leadership theories to identify what makes influential leaders thrive, how they evaluate options, and why they make changes. 

On the other hand, some experts describe leadership style to explain how a leader's characteristics and behaviors enable them to function successfully in specific situations. Understanding both theory and style can help you understand how to respond correctly under pressure and determine the best course of action as a leader.

Trait, behavior, contingency, and power theories explain why some leaders thrive while others fail. Characteristics linked with successful leaders, such as honesty, assertiveness, and empathy, are identified by trait theories, whereas behavioral theories specify how leaders work. 

Kurt Lewin defined three categories of conduct in the 1930s: authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire. Other theories, known as contingency theories, attempt to anticipate which leadership style will perform best in whatever situation, whereas power theories investigate how influence affects effective leadership.

Application of Theory

What you aim to achieve in your small business will determine which leadership philosophy you use. If you match your behavior with your strategic goals, you may focus on learning more about the ideas that make the most sense for your firm. Focus on the contingency and transformational leadership theories, for example, if you need to respond to rapid industry change owing to technological advancements. 

The Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory discusses how to match your leadership style to your subordinates' skill and experience levels. The less you need to be involved in day-to-day leadership operations, the more experienced your personnel are.

Leadership Style

Visionary, coaching, collaborative, consensual, pace-setting, and authoritative leadership styles define how leaders work with their subordinates to achieve short- and long-term objectives. Everyone in the organization, on average, employs a leadership style at some time during the day. 

Provide opportunities for your staff to build awareness of their leadership style and skills and knowledge in essential competencies for your firm to foster learning and growth. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's OpenCourseWare program provides free leadership development course materials.

Application of Style

A complete initial assessment, discussion of alternatives and actions, and evaluation of the outcome are necessary steps in effectively applying leadership style to a situation. Effective leaders learn from their failures and adapt their leadership styles in the future. 

An effective leader, for example, uses an innovative style to enthusiastically explain the future state, describe the need for change, and urge subordinates to follow his example during a transition to a new way of working. Using a dominating approach tends to disenfranchise employees, resulting in low morale, decreased productivity, and low staff retention rates.

What do you think about this article (Compare and contrast leadership styles and theories)? Do you have any comments?

Read : 

Concept of development in situational leadership
Conflict resolution in educational leadership 
Crisis management and leadership styles