What’s My Leadership Style?

Becoming a leader for the first time, especially if you’re hiring your first employee or moving from individual contributor into a leadership role, can feel like an exciting yet daunting challenge. You may be asking yourself, "Me?”, “what’s my leadership style?”, or even “how can I lead my friends?!”. All of these thoughts are super common and guess what? You’re not alone! Most people feel this way when stepping into leadership. 

It’s important to recognize that your leadership style will be unique to you, but understanding and defining it will help you lead more effectively. Let’s take a look at some tools for your leadership toolkit. 

Stop with the Imposter Syndrome!

Everyone does something for the first time, and leadership is no different. You may feel insecure in this new challenge, but you were put in this position for a reason! Whether you’re a small business owner building out your new team, or were just promoted into a leadership role, you’re now responsible for the growth and success of the people around you. You worked hard to get to where you are, so let’s celebrate that first. Being confident in your leadership may take baby steps, but by leading by example, you won’t even have to fake it till you make it. 

What’s your Communication Style?

Communication is the foundation of effective leadership. Take a few to think about how you naturally communicate—are you more direct or more collaborative? Once you’ve identified your communication style, consider how to use it to lead your team. If you're more direct, focus on clear and concise instructions that relay timelines and expectations. If you're more collaborative, emphasize active listening and inclusivity in discussions, while making sure everyone’s action items are clear, and your goal is aligned. By meeting with your team on a regular basis, you can ensure everyone is on the same page and this will allow space to tackle any roadblocks they may be facing. Consistency builds trust and accountability.

Delegate and Trust Your Team

As a new leader, it can be tempting to try to do everything yourself, but delegation is key to successful leadership. By delegating, you give your team members the opportunity to grow, take ownership, and showcase their skills. Once your team becomes comfortable with the items you’ve delegated, it will free up your time as well to focus on the bigger picture.
Focus on assigning tasks that align with your team members' strengths and give them the autonomy to complete them their way. Give them the end goal, and any must haves or time constraints, but allow them to figure out how to get there on their own. Trust them to make decisions, and be available for support if needed. New perspectives and fresh ideas can breathe new life into projects!

Set Clear Expectations

Every good leader knows that setting clear expectations is crucial. Your team needs to know what’s expected of them, what success looks like, and how they can contribute to the bigger picture. By establishing these expectations early on, you help prevent misunderstandings and create a roadmap for accountability.
Break down big goals into smaller, achievable steps, and communicate these clearly. It’s essential to make sure that everyone understands their role in achieving the overall objective. If you’ve had the conversation verbally, try following up with an email to make sure everyone is on the same page. 

Focus on Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Leadership isn’t just about strategy and results; it’s also about people! Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions while recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. Leaders with high EQ are able to navigate conflicts, inspire their teams, and foster a positive work environment.
Practice active listening during one-on-one meetings with employees. Ask open-ended questions to understand how they’re feeling about their work, and be empathetic when offering solutions. Find out what their goals are, and see if you can help them achieve those goals. 

Adapt Your Leadership to the Situation

Every situation is different, and great leaders know how to adapt. Sometimes you’ll need to take charge and make quick decisions, while other times, you’ll need to be more hands-off and let your team take the lead. Your leadership style doesn’t have to be static—learning to flex and adapt based on the needs of your team and the project at hand is a sign of a strong leader.
Use situational leadership by assessing whether a project requires directive leadership (clear instructions and close follow-up) or delegative leadership (letting the team manage themselves with your support). 

Continuously Seek Feedback

Leadership is a journey, and continuous improvement and flexibility is necessary in your growth. Seeking feedback from your team can provide valuable insights into how you’re doing as a leader and where you can improve. By making feedback a regular part of your leadership practice, you not only show that you value your team’s opinions, but you also demonstrate a willingness to grow alongside them.
Implement regular feedback sessions or surveys where team members can openly share what’s working and what could improve. Make sure to act on the feedback you receive to build trust and show that you’re committed to evolving. Remember, do not ask questions you either don’t want the answers to, or can’t do anything about.

As you step into your leadership role, remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. The key is to discover your own unique style and use it to build a strong, successful team. By developing these six leadership skills—communicating clearly, delegating effectively, setting expectations, fostering emotional intelligence, adapting to situations, and seeking feedback—you'll not only lead your team more effectively, but you'll also help your business thrive.

If you’re still feeling unsure, that’s okay—leadership is a learning process. Take the time to reflect on what kind of leader you want to be, and then take action to develop those skills. The more you understand your style, the more confident and empowered you’ll feel as a leader. The best leaders have a team of support around them, including HR consultants! If you’re looking for guidance on how to be a better leader, or simply need a 3rd party to talk through situations or ideas, my hourly consulting services is a great place to start! Schedule your FREE Discovery Call today!