Leadership Styles Module

This module includes: 1.) curriculum related to leadership styles including the STYLES acronym, teaching notes, reflection questions, and more; 2.) two classroom exercises to help students practice the various styles and apply their learning. 

In the game of golf, a person has several clubs that can be used depending on where they are on the course. The leadership styles presented here are like metaphorical golf clubs (Goleman, 2000). There are six basic styles or approaches an individual can use when leading others. Each of these styles has benefits and drawbacks depending on the context. Skilled individuals will intentionally choose an appropriate style for the situation. Share your vision is an authoritative approach whereby the leader has the knowledge or a clear vision for how the group should proceed. The second style, Teach and coach, requires the leader to convey their knowledge to the others on the team. This approach takes time but builds capacity and depth among team members, which in the long run, will save time. The third style, yell, tell and the hard sell, is a coercive style of leadership. Individuals using this style really want their way and will do what it takes to ensure that an individual or the group complies with their directives. Leaders who listen and engages others are more democratic in their style. They are seeking the wisdom or knowledge of the group and building ownership in the path forward. At times, leaders need to raise the heat and energize and push their team to work above and beyond. This style is often associated with time constraints and a high necessity for results. In other instances, leaders need to simply delegate tasks and and keep an eye on progress. By delegating tasks, leaders can build capacity in their teams, increase the shared workload, and accomplish more in less time. In the end, each style has benefits and drawbacks that will be important to explore. 

Collegiate Leadership Competition is a nonprofit organization focused on researching leadership development and using that knowledge to create resources that will help move the field of leadership education forward. CLC’s underlying theory is that leadership skills are primarily strengthened through deliberate practice.