Leadership style and the effective use of power are two of the most important and widely written about areas in the field of leadership. When I was in school working on my master’s degree, I took a semester-long leadership class just on these topics, and it was some of the most though-provoking and relevant material I have ever studied. Self-awareness, leadership values, and motivated capabilities are essential building blocks for authentic leadership style. Leadership style is power (strength of influence) in action, a dynamic relationship between the ways you exercise power (influence with authority) and the context in which you lead.

The goal of this reflection is to help you identify your preferred leadership style—the style that feels most natural and authentic to you—as well as other leadership styles that you already use or may want to develop for the future. A good approach is to master the use of several styles that are authentic for you, and to use them with consideration for the needs of the situation and of your teammates. For example, there may be times (e.g., during a crisis) where a directive approach is necessary, but that may not be your most natural style all the time.

Consider the following leadership styles and skills:

Leadership Styles and Core Skills
Leadership Style	Leadership Skills
Directive	Driving: marshalling resources and directing energy toward achieving a goal
Engaged	Motivating: identifying and addressing the desires of others
Coaching	Teaching: bringing others along a path of learning a new skill or domain
Democratic	Collaborating: responding to others and building on their contributions with your own
Affiliative	Empathizing: understanding the feelings and states of mind of others
Expert	Mastering: turning new knowledge into a domain of expertise

1. What is your preferred style of leadership?
2. Why do you prefer this style?
3. In what situations do you use this style?
4. What leadership capabilities do you draw upon?
5. What skills do you need to develop to use this style more effectively?
6. What is your preferred backup style of leadership?
7. Why do you prefer this style?
8. In what situations do you use this style?
9. What leadership capabilities do you draw upon?
10. What skills do you need to develop to use this style more effectively?

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As a person democratic style of leadership appeals to me the most due to the kind of involvement it ... View the full answer