DIFFERENCES.

Recently, I spent a week visiting my daughter in Hershey, Pennsylvania. One of the things we did was visit a working Amish farm after an authentic buggy ride to the location. Growing up in Kansas watching corn, wheat, and alfalfa grow was an every day occurrence especially visiting my grandparent's farm.

There was also chickens, goats, cows, and farm dogs and cats that we chased, was chased by, and played with just because they wanted the attention and we needed to expend the energy of seven busy children. My mother loved that when we came home from Grandma's we were exhausted.

The city folks on the Amish buggy ride seemed so intrigued with the planting process, the harvesting, and the growing of our food source. My husband and I took for granted on that buggy ride what others didn't experience growing up in Kansas. As I self-discovered my own prejudice toward the "city people" I realized those fields we passed at a very slow pace had some life lessons for me.

The photo I took above was the most apparent difference in the way the farmers planted a crop of wheat next to a crop of corn. Not only did the color contrast catch my eye, but how it went on for miles. What came to mind was the word "differences."

Leadership styles are as different as the wheat and the corn grown in the fields of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In fact there are many types like sorghum, alfalfa, soybean, maize, barley, oat, sugarcane, etc. with each serving its purpose, but with a different taste and texture.

Leadership Styles Reflect Values

Executive coach Tara Padua says, "Our leadership style is a whirlpool of our values, our natural strengths and abilities (and) our beliefs and experiences. Knowing your leadership style can help you align that whirlpool with your vision, goals and even your organization’s mission and vision.”

There's arguably no better way to delineate style from traits than to see them next to each other. It's also useful to note that many leaders commingle several styles, with one being predominant. Identifying your traits might enable you to understand your current approach.

Autocratic Leaders Exercise Control

Style: People guided by the “my way or the highway” mantra are autocratic (also known as authoritarian). Traits: They hold power, don't share it and issue orders that they expect to be carried out with no questions asked.

Bureaucratic Leaders Prefer Constancy Style: People who go by the book and hew to the status quo are bureaucratic leaders. They are anchored in stability. Traits: Because they relish the comfort of procedures, they are careful to dot every “i” while following the rules.

Charismatic Leaders Draw In People Style: People who engage, charm, inspire or otherwise motivate others by the sheer appeal of their personalities are charismatic leaders. Traits: You've probably met a few charismatic leaders yourself, so you know they can either lay it on thick or be subtle. Either way, they know how to work their magic on others.

Democratic Leaders Foster Involvement Style: People who encourage participation and collaboration and prize consensus are democratic leaders. Traits: They actively seek the opinions of others, relish mixing things up with lively discussions and even play devil's advocate to elicit ideas.

Laissez-Faire Leaders Are Born Delegators Style: People who work in a hands-off manner are known for embracing a laissez-faire leadership style. Traits: They give subordinates the tools and resources they need. Then they step out of the ring and leave them to their own devices.

Pacesetting Leaders Lead By Example Style: People who have high expectations and work at a fast pace are pacesetting leaders. Traits: They expect employees to watch how they work and mirror their behavior. Employees who can't keep up are usually quick to fall by the wayside.

Servant Leaders Always 'Eat Last' Style: Leaders who emphasize the act of serving others over leading them, embrace a servant leadership style. Traits: They constantly look for ways to help and make others' lives better. They are most common in schools, churches and social service agencies.

Situational Leaders Are Ubiquitous Style: People who adapt their words and actions to a particular situation are situational leaders. This style is one of the most common leadership styles favored by small-business owners. Traits: They eschew one-size-fits-all strategies and carefully assess individuals, the circumstances they face and the consequences of each situation.

Transformational Leaders Tend to Be Adventurous Style: People who rally employees around a shared vision – one that underscores betterment – are transformational leaders. Traits: They encourage creativity and nudge employees out of their comfort zone but give them the autonomy they need to innovate.

Transactional Leaders Are Directive Style: People who need structure and order in the workplace and operate in reward-punishment mode are known as transactional leaders. Traits: They are most comfortable managing people by issuing instructions and then dispensing either rewards or penalties.

Taking the time to understand each style and the way it fits with your leadership tendency and goals will be well worth your time.

It might actually make the difference in your life.

What She Said ~ Beverly

#differences

#traits

#leadershipstyles