Exploring different leadership styles in project management

Leadership is a core skill for project management, but there are many different leadership styles. Each type has distinct characteristics, advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider when selecting the approach that is best designed for your team.

What are these leadership styles, and how can you identify which is most closely aligned with your approach?

What are the five main leadership styles?

Autocratic leadership

Also known as authoritarian leadership, this style of leader prefers to have full control. They make all decisions with little input from others in their team.

Autocratic leadership often creates highly structured and rigid environments. Which can lead to quick decision making and strong direction, but can often stifle innovation and result in low team morale.

Democratic leadership

On the opposite end of the spectrum from autocratic leadership sits democratic leadership. This style of leadership encourages all team members to participate in decision making, allowing them to contribute ideas before the leader has final say on the decision.

Research has found that this is one of the most effective types of leadership. It empowers team members, leading to higher job satisfaction, better team collaboration and increased creativity.

Laissez-Faire leadership

This hands-off approach to leadership is often referred to as the delegative style. Leaders of this nature provide their team with the resources and tools needed to succeed but leave them to execute tasks with little interference day-to-day.

The success of this style depends largely on the individuals within your team. For some members this high-level of autonomy can foster innovation and creativity, but others may require more direction which risks low productivity from those individuals.

Transactional leadership

The relationship between coaches and sports teams is a great example of transactional leadership. If you play well, you’ll likely be rewarded with the opportunity to play in the next game. But if you don’t, chances are another member of the team will be given your slot.

Transactional leaders use rewards and punishments to provide a clear structure and working environment for members of their team. This style works well for short-term projects, but often lacks the forward-thinking required for long term solutions.

Transformational leadership

Often used as a comparative for transactional leadership, transformative leadership focuses on change and innovation. This type of leader has a vision for change which they can easily communicate to their team providing motivation and role model for them to follow.

Transactional leadership requires managers to possess certain characteristics such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness, authenticity, creativity and more, which can be hard to develop if you don’t naturally possess them.

Identify your leadership style

Identifying your leadership style can help you understand how your approach may affect your team’s performance, morale and overall productivity.

Use these tips to help identify your leadership style.

1. Self-reflection: Consider how you make decisions, interact with team members, and respond to challenges
2. Seek feedback: Ask for input from colleagues and team members about how they perceive your leadership, to get a comprehensive view speak to people who are your peers, superiors and subordinates
3. Use structured assessments: From online quizzes to standardised assessments there are many resources that can provide insights into your leadership style
4. Observe and learn from role models: Look at leaders you admire, assess the elements of their leadership style you like and compare them to your own
5. Analyse your impact on team performance: Consider how your leadership has contributed to team successes and failures, and the impact you have on morale, motivation and engagement
6. Professional development: Participate in leadership development programmes, read books and online articles, listen to podcasts, there are so many resources available to help you gain deeper insights into the different leadership styles
7. Experiment and adapt: Experiment with different leadership styles in various situations, as this will help you identify which style is most effective for you and your team

Develop your leadership style

There are many ways to develop your leadership capabilities and establish a style that works for you and your team. At ILX, we have a wealth of training available from accredited project, programme and portfolio management courses to business skills workshops that help develop vital soft skills.

Discover how a partnership with ILX could help your team be ready for anything!