There’s no 1 “right” way to lead.

Steal this cheat sheet for the best

LEADERSHIP STYLES © Eric Partaker

Leadership styles are different ways to guide and inspire a team. Knowing these styles helps you choose
the best approach for different situations. This makes you a more effective and adaptable leader.

10 Leadership Styles Situational Leadership

High

1 Adaptive
Good for a Good for

2
How can we adjust?
Autocratic “capable but “disillusioned
Encourages flexibility in Follow this plan. cautious” team learners” who

g n
complexity. Useful in that needs need coaching

rti
Makes quick, firm decisions.

Co
changing environments. support. to grow.

po
Useful in crises or when fast
Example: Navigating a

ac
SUPPORTIVE BEHAVIOR

p
decisions are crucial.

Su
market shift.

hin
Example: Handling an
emergency situation.

g
3 Coaching

4
Have you tried this?
Democratic

g
Develops people’s skills for What do you think?

tin
Di
the future. Good for re
personal growth. Example:
Values everyone's input. ga c tin
le
Best for collaborative
De

Mentoring a junior team

environments. Example:
g
member. Good for “self-reliant Good for “enthusiastic
Deciding on a team project
direction. achievers” who need beginners” who need

5 Inspirational delegated authority. strong direction.

Low

6
Let’s aim higher.
Laissez-Faire
Low DIRECTIVE BEHAVIOR High
Motivates with vision and You’ve got this.
passion. Great for uniting
Gives team independence.
teams. Example: Rallying a
Ideal for skilled, self-driven
team around a new
company vision.
teams. Example: Managing Emotional Intelligence Model
a group of experienced (h/t Daniel Goleman)
researchers.

7 Servant
A high EQ helps you match

8
How can I support?
Strategic your leadership style to the
situation. Manage yourself
Puts team’s needs first. Here’s my vision. before leading others.
Great for creating Recognize
Aligns actions with Know your others’
supportive cultures.
long-term goals. Ideal for emotions emotions
Example: Focusing on
team well-being. guiding through growth.
Example: Developing a SELF SOCIAL
5-year business plan.

9 Transactional AWARENESS AWARENESS

Meet these goals.
Trans-
10
SELF RELATIONSHIP
Rewards or penalizes formational MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT
based on performance. Let’s change the game.
Effective for goal-oriented Manage your
tasks. Example: Meeting Use when leading a team emotions Build strong
through innovative projects bonds
sales targets. Motivate
or significant changes. yourself
Example: Executing a new
business strategy.

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