How Many Leadership Styles Are There?

When you go to Google and you ask “How many types of leadership styles are there?”, Google will respond with things like: 

• 4 Leadership Styles in Business: Leadership Style Quiz 
• How to Lead: 6 Leadership Styles and Frameworks
• 7 Leadership Styles and How to Find Your Own
• 8 Common Leadership Styles (and How to Find Yours)
• 10 Common Leadership Styles (Plus How To Find Yours)
• 11 Leadership Styles (plus how to find your own) 

So how many leadership styles are there? In my opinion, there are two. One that works and one that doesn’t.

So where do the varying 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 leadership styles come from? 

They come from people moving into leadership roles carrying with them their background of experiences and their values and personality styles.

These are the characteristics every leader should strive to create in their culture. They should be able to build relationships both internally and externally. They will have a heart for continual and never-ending people development. We are either growing or staying put. If we stay put too long, skills/mindsets, and outlooks become stagnant. 

Leaders lead change. Nothing stays the same. In an ever-changing world, change is inevitable and necessary.  In leading change, leaders will naturally inspire others. Getting buy-in to ideas, concepts, goals, and actions is what great leaders do. They are able to move the masses in the same direction. 

Leaders think critically. They take the data and make the wisest decision they can at the moment and shift to new decisions as needed. They look at all angles, and factors and take into consideration the global implications of their decisions. Most great leaders have coaches and advisors they seek counsel from. Great leaders are not an island doing life alone. They involve others in their processes and when needed, they make critical decisions. 

Great leaders communicate clearly and create accountability for each and every person in the organization.  In order to move the masses, written and verbal communication must take place and people need to know what is required of them for the whole organization to reach their goals.

So whether you think there are two styles of leadership or more. You’ll know how effective you really are when you measure the environment and culture you have built.

Best, 

Manal