I experienced working with two Executive Leaders and noticed that both had contrasting styles of leading. The first leader, in which I will refer to her as Leaders A. She led with an iron fist, she focused on catching what employees did incorrectly, she was punitive in her approach, she possessed a dictatorial style of communication, often prioritizing control over collaboration, focusing on enforcing rules and discipline rather than fostering trust and understanding. She lacked empathy when communicating with her team. On the other hand Executive Leader B was totally opposite. She would enforce policy through setting expectations and providing guidance and training. When dealing with challenges she maintained a composed disposition and spoke with clarity, concise and calmness. Her team trusted her decision making because she built their trust through collaboration and camaraderie. When I asked each to identify their core values it was clear that their core values were polar opposites of each other. Therefore, your style of leadership is a correlation of your personal values. For example if you value empathy you would more than likely prioritize employee well-being and provide strong support to team members when they face life’s challenges.
According to research here are some ways how personal values impact leadership styles:
Communication and Trust: Leaders who prioritize values like transparency and integrity tend to communicate openly with their team, fostering trust and collaboration.
Team Culture: A leader’s values directly influence the workplace culture they cultivate, whether it’s focused on innovation, inclusivity, or high performance.
Motivation and Inspiration: Leaders who authentically demonstrate their values can inspire and motivate their team to strive towards shared goals.
When you think about your life and leadership, think about your legacy. If you desire to leave a positive and lasting impact that transforms the lives of others then consider possessing values that would make a significance difference in others’ lives.
If you need assistance or support as a leader feel free to reach out to E3 Leadership Institute, (www.e3leadershipinstitute.com) we are here to serve you. Inspiring leaders to lead with purpose and passion!