Leadership Skills Explained: Find Your Leadership Style
Learn essential leadership skills, explore different leadership styles, and discover how anyone can become an effective leader.
CAREER & WORKPLACE SKILLS
Lesson 14: Understanding Leadership and Leadership Styles
Leadership is often misunderstood as something you’re either born with or not.
In this lesson, you’ll learn why leadership is a skill that can be developed, explore different leadership styles, and understand how leaders influence culture, motivation, and teamwork.
Course Outline: Crash Course Business – Soft Skills
This course builds practical soft skills for professional success and healthy workplaces.
INTRODUCTION: Business Soft Skills – Course Overview
LESSON 1: Why You Need Trust to Do Business
LESSON 3: The Secret to Business Writing
LESSON 4: How to Speak With Confidence
LESSON 5: How to Make a Resume Stand Out
LESSON 6: How to Ace the Interview
LESSON 7: Prepare to Negotiate Your Salary
LESSON 8: How to Become a Better Negotiator
LESSON 9: How to Set and Achieve SMART Goals
LESSON 10: How to Make Time Management Work for You
LESSON 11: How to Make Better Decisions
LESSON 12: How to Work Effectively With a Team
LESSON 13: How to Handle Difficult Conversations
LESSON 14: Understanding Leadership and Leadership Styles
LESSON 15: How to Create a Fair Workplace
LESSON 16: The Many Forms of Power
LESSON 17: How to Avoid Burnout
Leadership Is Not a Personality Trait
Leadership can seem intimidating.
History is full of failed kings, mutinied captains, and leaders who lost the trust of their people.
But leadership is not about being a “natural-born leader.”
It is a set of skills that anyone can learn and improve.
Manager vs Leader: The Stereotypes
The word manager often brings to mind someone rigid or out of touch.
A leader, on the other hand, is often seen as supportive and visionary.
In reality, good managers need strong leadership skills.
Managers shape:
Company culture
Productivity
Workplace behavior
This is why organizations feel so different from one another.
For example:
Amazon is known for codified leadership rules that drive productivity but can lead to burnout
Walt Disney emphasized storytelling and culture by calling employees “cast members”
People often say they don’t quit companies — they quit managers.
Anyone Can Be a Leader
Leadership isn’t limited to executives or historical figures.
Leaders can be:
Activists
Teammates
Employees without formal authority
A leader is someone who works well with others and inspires them to achieve shared goals.
Leadership can show up in small, everyday actions.
The 7 Core Leadership Skills
Effective leaders help people accomplish things together that no one could do alone.
Key leadership skills include:
Building strong relationships
Making effective decisions
Coordinating teamwork
Communicating clearly
Acting ethically
Motivating others
Providing direction
Strong leadership creates a positive environment.
Poor leadership creates tension and disengagement.
Different Leadership Styles
There is no single “best” leadership style.
Different situations require different approaches.
Commanding Leadership
This style focuses on authority and direct orders.
It can be effective in urgent situations but often causes frustration if overused.
Visionary Leadership
Visionary leaders set broad goals and let people choose how to get there.
This works well for independent teams but can feel vague if guidance is needed.
Affiliative Leadership
Affiliative leaders prioritize relationships and harmony.
This builds trust, but performance may suffer if accountability is ignored.
Democratic Leadership
Democratic leaders seek input and consensus.
This promotes fairness but can slow down decision-making.
Pacesetting Leadership
Pacesetting leaders lead by example with high standards.
This can motivate high performers but may cause burnout.
Coaching Leadership
Coaching leaders focus on growth, feedback, and development.
This style is effective for learning but may frustrate highly experienced teams.
Leadership Styles in Practice
People rarely fit into just one leadership category.
Most leaders blend styles depending on the situation.
For example, Michelle Obama is often described as a charismatic leader who blends visionary and affiliative styles.
Meanwhile, Oprah excels in certain leadership contexts but would not be suited for every team environment.
Be Critical of Leadership Advice
Leadership seminars and conferences can feel inspiring — but inspiration is not the same as skill.
Generic advice and buzzwords rarely apply to every organization.
Better sources of leadership insight include:
Research-based publications like Harvard Business Review
Experts who study organizational behavior
Leaders whose styles align with your values
Even then, leadership improves through practice, not shortcuts.
The Golden Rule of Leadership
Good leadership boils down to a simple idea with a twist:
Treat people the way they want to be treated — not just how you want to be treated.
This requires listening, empathy, and flexibility.
The Power of Recognition
One of the most effective leadership tools is positive feedback.
Recognition can include:
Public praise
Awards
Handwritten thank-you notes
Celebrating milestones
Acknowledging effort and achievement boosts morale and motivation.
You don’t need a big budget.
Even small celebrations — like team lunches or cake — can strengthen bonds.
Key Takeaways
Leadership is a skill, not a personality trait
Anyone can develop leadership abilities
Different leadership styles work in different situations
Strong leaders adapt their approach
Recognition and appreciation matter
Next lesson, we’ll explore fairness in the workplace and why leadership fails without it.
FAQ
1. Can anyone become a leader?
Yes. Leadership skills can be learned and improved through practice.
2. Is there one best leadership style?
No. Effective leaders adapt their style based on the situation and team.
3. Why is recognition important in leadership?
Recognition builds motivation, trust, and a positive work environment.
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