Which Leadership Style Do You Have? Let's Find Out

Are you the boss?

This post is presented in partnership with Monash Business School.

Have you ever wondered what kind of leader you'd make? Would you put empathy first or focus on results?

Whether you’ve been on the student council or run a study group after class, knowing what kind of management characteristics you have can make you an awesome leader.

Figuring out your leadership style can be a tad tricky though, which is why we've broken it down with the help of our mates at Monash Business School!

There are so many leadership styles out there but to make things nice and simple, we’re just going to focus on the main six. Let’s get started.

Authoritative.

Authoritative leaders are assured chiefs who give their teammates clear road maps and expectations. If you consider yourself convincing, clear and direct, you'll defs relate to this style.

Not only are authoritative leaders confident enough to make the tough calls but they’re also great at clearing things up when the workload is starting to look kind of confusing.

They don’t just dish out demands; they explain their thought process and love getting input from the rest of the team.

You can often find authoritative leaders in project leadership roles like IT or engineering. If this sounds like you, maybe a Master degree in Project Leadership could be your pathway.

Democratic.

Next up are democratic leaders. They love feedback and creative input.

Democratic leaders share all the necessary information with their team, giving them their best chance at cooperation, originality, and coming up with out-of-the-box ideas. If you're cooperative, empathetic and creative, this leadership style could be a match for you. 

This leadership style allows team members to feel heard, appreciated and understood. You’ll often find them in international business roles or even working in the arts, as its diverse range of study options allows leaders to work with people from a variety of backgrounds.

With a double degree in International Business and Arts, you can allow your democratic leadership skills to flourish.

Coaching.

Coaching style leaders work as the powerhouse of expertise for their team to bounce off. Not only do they have the talent, but they love to help their team grow, learn and develop their skills.

If you're self-assured, quick thinking and great with people, this one's for you. 

Leaders that work in marketing roles are great examples of coaching managers. Not only do they have a wealth of knowledge on their specified topic, but they also have experience working with digital platforms and market research.

If helping others meet their goals is your thing but becoming a teacher isn’t for you, why not check out a Bachelor degree in Marketing?

Laissez-faire.

Pronounced “leh-seh-fare”, Laissez-fair leaders are known for their trust and confidence in their team.

Translated from French, the word means “let do” and refers to management and leaders that don’t hover or micromanage. So, this one goes out to all the relaxed, confident and trustworthy people. 

A Bachelor degree in Business Administration is perfect for those who want to jump into the business world but aren’t keen on traditional styles of management.

In a course like Business Administration, you can grow your entrepreneurial skills sky-high and see how they take your ideas from dreams to reality.

Autocratic.

Autocratic leaders fall into the traditional basket; they tend to make all the decisions on their own and take command of the rest of the team. 

The best autocratic leaders are also respectful and great listeners. Those of you who are strong-willed, confident and great at communicating will do well here. 

This leadership style doesn’t always work in all workplace situations, but it is perfect for roles where big decisions need to be made. 

That’s why it’s the perfect style for a role in Business Law, which can be highly competitive and fast-changing. 

Affiliative.

If you’re a people person and want to get to know your team, pay close attention to their work and connect closely, you probably fall into this category. These people are empathetic, understanding and creative.

Affiliative leaders are all about creating workplace harmony, easing conflicts, and building relationships with the team. They’re also often the most understanding and empathetic leaders.

With empathy by your side, a career in sustainability could be perfect for you. If you’re interested in the interaction between society, the economy and the environment, a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in sustainability could be a goer.

Whether you love to hand out tasks or you’re a star communicator, there’s likely a leadership style and therefore career path that you best match to.

If none of the above really sound like you and you’d like to do some further digging, check out our Personality Turntable in collab with Monash Business School, ‘cos it could give you are few more insights on your business personality.

On the other hand, if this has helped you discover the career of your dreams, head to Monash Business School’s website to find out more.

Header Image: golero via Getty Images