4 basic leadership styles

I had plenty of leaders in my sales career. And from each one, I witnessed different styles. One leader was cursing me out on a daily basis. Another one felt like a friend you didn’t want to let down. There was a leader sho gave you the freedom of leading and didn’t say much. And then there was a leader who let you walk all over them. Each one was different.

Just like the four basic leadership styles:

1. Autocratic
2. Democratic
3. Laissez-faire
4. Paternalistic

Autocratic are leaders who make all the decisions and give orders. Makes me think of a military Sargent. They say and order and you obey. 

Democratic leadership considers the input of their subordinates. This makes me think of a big business and how they work with upper leadership. The CEO of a company isn’t going to be running or doing the job of a president. 

Paternalistic treats your team like a family. You are do or die for them. And you also treat them like a child. Reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. 

These are the four basic leadership styles that must be adjusted depending on situations and even employees. Every situation is different than the last.

Which style do you enjoy the most?