Many people will confuse leadership styles with leadership traits. Both do not fall under the same spectrum, and leadership styles can depend vastly on the circumstances of the team leader and its other members. Furthermore, bad leadership can seriously affect the success of an organization. There are different leadership styles, with each one offering solutions in particular situations. So are leadership traits always positive? Find out below.
Different leadership styles
Laissez-faire leadership is when a team leader presents a particular situation to members and breakdowns solution tactics and far-reaching problems. After doing so, the team leader relies on the individual and collaborative capabilities of the team to reach a goal.
This style of leadership works best when leading a group of highly capable and experienced team members. However, this style of leadership does not work for an inexperienced team that requires serious guidance.
For inexperienced workers, an autocratic leadership style will likely work best. In this style of leadership, the leader is responsible for each operational step. The team has to simply follow what the leader orders. However, for jobs that require critical thinking, spontaneous decision-making, and creativity, this type of leadership will be detrimental to the team’s and the organization’s success.
Another leadership style takes shape in the form of democratic leadership. This type of leadership hands the majority of the decision-making in the hands of the team leaders, which the team members can choose. Teams can now choose their leaders, even if they chooses the wrong candidate.
As you can see, whether a leadership style has a positive or negative impact entirely depends on various factors. These factors can include the situation, circumstance, goals, team members, and so much more. Regardless of the type of leadership skills you choose, good leadership traits will be instrumental for success.
Leading by example
A good leader leads by example. You not only have to be a good guide and be profound when giving instructions, but you also have to set an example for other members to follow. The actions of a leader can have an incredible impact on team members. Once a leader starts to walk the walk, their commitment and willingness toward the organization set a bar for the team. So, each team member will try to match and overcome the leader’s work ethic.
A leader’s commitment, along with their energy, will resonate better with the team members. It will also radiate positive energy, and there is nothing more important in a team than passion and a will to succeed.
Having a positive leader is an important part of a team, and great leaders share positivity. Positivity will make them more likable, which will lead to more trust, but it will also increase the team’s morale. Countless studies have proven that a positive relationship between team members can greatly increase morale and productivity. A leader that fosters a negative office environment leads to mistrust and a lack of communication. Both of these aspects are integral to teamwork.
Being proactive
One trait of good leadership is being proactive. Good leaders generally have a proactive attitude. When something goes wrong in an organization, it is easy to blame someone else. In the face of conflicts and hurdles, great leaders do not focus too much on pointing fingers. Instead, they shift their focus entirely on solving the problem ahead.
Great leaders are also good at delegating tasks and assigning roles to individuals. Having a keen understanding of each team member and the jobs they can perform is a great leadership task. Leaders need to identify which team member is best suited for a particular task.
Intelligence
Leaders are also known to be more intelligent than ordinary people. It is accurate to say that the founding fathers of the US were extremely intelligent. They were prolific writers and were very well educated. All of the great current leaders and CEOs have a reputation for being extraordinarily intelligent.
A highly intelligent leader will also be very confident and will find different ways to better communicate their ideas to their team. Intelligent leaders also have a diverse set of skills and are good at managing multiple tasks simultaneously. They will also likely have high self-esteem, self-assurance, and the capacity to make a difference. It is very clear that leaders carry themselves with great self-confidence, and their communication surrounds an unwavering self-assurance.
Determination
This trait is a strong drive and initiative to move forward. Determined leaders are persistent and follow through on tasks despite the many obstacles they may face. This is why some of the best leaders are people that struggle through unfortunate circumstances but rise into top positions.
Integrity
This leadership trait is one of the most important and can have an astounding impact on team members. It pertains to being honest and living by a clear set of principles. Furthermore, a leader with integrity will take responsibility for their actions. Team members will always respect leaders with integrity because they are more dependable. Martin Luther King is an excellent example of a leader with great integrity.
Sociability
Sociability is a tendency to engage in pleasant, courteous, and long-lasting social relationships. Great leaders with excellent social skills are very emotionally intelligent. They are sensible, diplomatic, and tactical in their approach to conversations with individuals. They are also very sensitive to others’ needs and well-being. Team leaders will need to be proficient in their communicative skills and be able to empathize with workers from all backgrounds.
A trait that nearly all leaders share is that they have a welcoming, warm, and pleasant communication style. This type of communication is important because it allows all team members to connect with the leader better and not hesitate when it was sharing their problems and conflicts. Leaving issues unaddressed will cause further disruption to the company or organization.
Are leadership traits always positive?
Traits such as the ability to influence others to engage in problem-solving and more are traits that a leader can include. Some people say they can act as if they have the trait, but they are only behaving in a certain way without actually possessing it.
Many leaders admit privately that they are very nervous and anxious when meeting with their teams. However, they act confident when dealing with their team or customers, making them feel more comfortable around them. These are the five key traits that leaders have. Despite the criticisms, studies on leadership traits continue. Many people will agree that the best leaders seem to stand out, even from an early age.
Final words
For individuals and organizations, the power of positive leadership can be a game-changer. It is what determines the scalability and success of an organization. It can also make a difference in how an organization performs in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Overall, great leadership is required the most in times of turmoil, and positive leadership is integral to a resilient organization. To answer the question, “Are leadership traits always positive”? Yes, they are, considering that you apply them correctly.
