Workplace conflicts lead to very high losses, not only financially but also in terms of employee well-being and effectiveness. However, very few managers are trained to prevent and manage conflicts in their teams. And most importantly, it is crucial to identify the real causes of conflicts because they are not as personal as one might think.
Introduction
Leadership is a key concept in understanding the dynamics of an organization and a determining factor in its success. Since the first observations of this phenomenon, scientists have continually sought to define its boundaries and establish explanatory models. This article aims to explore the history of leadership studies, examine existing leadership models, and discuss their application in business.
There are several theories and Leadership styles that are commonly used and studied in the leadership field. Nowadays, here are some of the main leadership styles widely recognized and the situations in which they are best.
The Transactional Leader has a management style that is based on a series of exchanges between the leader and his subordinates. It focuses on specific transactions, where subordinates are rewarded or punished based on their performance.
Transformational Leadership is a type of leadership wherein a leader works with subordinates to pinpoint necessary changes, creates a vision to guide the change through inspiration, and enacts the change in tandem with his subordinates. This type of leadership often serves to enhance the motivation, morale, and performance of collaborators.
The Democratic Leadership, also known as Participative Leadership, is a management type where the leader makes decisions after consulting with their team. The Democratic Leader encourages and facilitates the active participation of team members in the decision-making process.
The Laissez-Faire Leadership is characterized by a high degree of autonomy granted to team members. The Laissez-Faire leader intervenes little in decision-making processes and allows their subordinates to make their own decisions and manage their work independently
Bureaucratic Leadership emphasizes rules and procedures to manage organizations and employees. Bureaucratic Leadership is based on a formal and hierarchical organizational structure, where decisions are made by following established guidelines and policies.
Visionary Leadership is characterized by a leader's ability to create a clear and inspiring vision of the future, and to motivate and inspire others to work together to achieve that vision. Visionary Leaders are generally charismatic, passionate, and have a strong belief in their vision. They are also open-minded, creative, and able to think strategically.
The Paternalistic Leader behaves in a protective and Paternalistic manner towards his subordinates. It is often compared to a parent-child relationship, where the leader takes care of his employees and expects their loyalty and respect in return. The Paternalistic Leadership is often associated with traditional or family cultures, where hierarchy and personal relationships are important.
The Autocratic Leadership is one in which the Leader makes all decisions and exercises strict control over subordinates. The Autocratic Leader dictates policies and procedures, decides on objectives and guidelines, and expects employees to follow his or her instructions without question or input.
Charismatic Leadership relies on the personal appeal and charisma of the leader to inspire and motivate their collaborators. Charismatic Leaders are often perceived as being visionary, energetic, and capable of eliciting a deep and emotional commitment from their collaborators.
Servant Leadership is a philosophy and a set of practices that enrich the lives of individuals, build better organizations, and ultimately create a more just and caring world. This Leadership type focuses on serving others, emphasizing the development and well-being of individuals and communities to which a leader serves.
The Situational Leadership is a model that proposes that the most effective Leadership behaviour depends on the situation. The main idea of this model is that leaders must be flexible and adapt their Leadership behaviour according to the competence and motivation level of their subordinates
Authentic Leadership is based on the leader's transparency, honesty, and sincerity towards their collaborators. The Authentic Leadership is founded on self-awareness and understanding one's values, beliefs, and emotions, as well as authenticity in how these values, beliefs, and emotions are expressed and shared with others.