Business Studies – 2.2.3 Leadership styles | e-Consult

A leader's personal characteristics significantly impact their leadership style. These characteristics often shape their approach to decision-making, communication, and motivation.

Confidence and Assertiveness: Leaders who are confident and assertive are more likely to adopt an autocratic style. They are comfortable making decisions independently and expecting obedience. Example: A CEO with a strong personality might make all major strategic decisions without seeking extensive input from other managers.

Empathy and People Skills: Leaders who are empathetic and possess strong interpersonal skills are more inclined towards a democratic style. They value input from others and prioritize building relationships. Example: A team leader who actively solicits feedback from team members and encourages collaboration is demonstrating democratic leadership.

Tolerance for Risk and Innovation: Leaders who are open to risk and innovation are more likely to adopt a laissez-faire style, particularly with experienced and capable teams. They trust their team members to make decisions and manage themselves. Example: A project manager might give a highly skilled development team considerable autonomy to design and implement a new software feature.

Personality Traits: Other personality traits, such as introversion or extroversion, can also influence leadership style. Introverted leaders might prefer to work independently and make decisions privately, while extroverted leaders are more likely to be outgoing and engaging with their team. A leader's past experiences and values also play a role in shaping their leadership approach.