Leadership Styles and Attitudes

Leadership Styles and Attitudes



Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to explore the relationship between the worldviews of leaders and their corresponding leadership styles. It also proposes a leadership development framework integrating training strategies and pertinent leadership skills.

Design/methodology/approach - The paper proposes a modeling of seven leader types and illustrates the predominant worldview of each leader type. Separately, a modeling of six distinct leadership skills is used to distil the strengths and weaknesses of each leader type, from which specific training implications are discussed.

Findings - First, autocratic and bureaucratic leaders tend to adopt a negative worldview which impinges on their level of power and influence. Second, charismatic and visionary leaders are well-equipped with instrumental and creative imagination skills, reflecting their collaborative, global and transformative worldview. Third, both enabling and servant leaders display a quieter persona in terms of assertiveness, as they believe action speaks louder than words. They are highly consultative and participatory in their management approach.

Practical implications - CEOs and HRD professionals may now be able to assess their leaders' worldviews and match these with their leadership styles to design appropriate training programs for leadership development. A number of practical suggestions presented in this paper will provide pointers for training implementation.

Originality/value - The value of this paper lies in examining the root of a leader's attitude and behavior, that is, to focus on his/her worldview. The author's point of view is that a strategic leadership development program should first allow leaders to experience a variety of worldviews through simulation and other techniques, which will in turn influence the way they think and act.

Table of contents

Abstract2

Table of contents4

Introduction5

Leadership and worldviews6

Leadership styles6

Autocratic leaders6

Autocratic leaders7

Bureaucratic leaders8

Enabling leaders8

Charismatic leaders9

Servant leaders10

Visionary leaders11

Conclusion11

References13

Leadership Styles and Attitudes

Introduction

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right (Confucius).

According to Chinese philosopher, Confucius, the heart of man is directly influenced by the way He views the world. As the quote suggests, the heart and the world He perceives have a complex yet direct relationship which cannot be overemphasized. The “heart” of the matter here is how the worldview of man affects the way He thinks and behaves. As such, training leaders of tomorrow requires CEOs, and HRD Consultants and Trainers to have a fundamental understanding of the worldviews of leaders today. With rapid changes in business, technology as well as political and social situations, development of effective leadership skills is essential. As a result, leadership programs have become an increasing priority for business and government organizations.

This article adopts a human perspective of leadership development by drawing a relationship between the way leaders view the world and the distinct leadership styles they demonstrate. Based on over ten years of personal experience interacting and working with different leaders in training and consultancy, I provide a number of suggestions ...