Basic Leadership Styles
The basic leadership styles include:
Autocratic
The project manager is primarily focused on getting the tasks done, with little regard to the team member’s feelings.
Directing
The project manager tells the team members what, when, where, and how to do things
Democratic or Participative
The project manager encourages the team members to actively participate in the decision-making process.
A lot of authority is delegated to the team members and they play an active role in managing the project.
Laissez-faire
It’s a French term, literally meaning “let do”.
The project manager turns things over to the team members, and only monitors the work at a high level.
Other Leadership Styles
The PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition defines a few other styles such as:
Servant Leader
This comes from the Agile world. A servant leader demonstrates commitment to serve and put other people first. Read Servant Leadership for a better understanding of this topic.
Transactional
Rewards are based on accomplishments against goals.
Transformational
Empowering, motivating and inspiring the team members.
Charismatic
Able to inspire; is high-energy, enthusiastic, self-confident; holds strong convictions.
Interactional
A combination of transactional, transformational, and charismatic leadership styles.