Authentic Leadership works on the principle that a leader can prove their legitimacy by nurturing sincere relationships with their subordinates and giving importance to their input. An authentic leader encourages their subordinates to be more open; they appreciate their support in the success of the organization.

The importance of ethical leadership. Leadership skills are crucial to help create a positive ethical culture in a company. Leaders can help investors feel that the organization is a good, trustworthy one. Customers are more likely to feel loyal when they see leaders in place in an organization.

Authentic leadership theory emphasizes that leaders are free to adopt or develop their own leadership style so long as that style is consistent with their own character and values.

The four major leadership theories being addressed are: (1) Transformational Leadership Theory, (2) Transactional Leadership Theory, (3) Charismatic Leadership Theory, and (4) Fiedler’s Contingency Theory.

Major leadership theories.

• –Behavioral theory. The behavioral leadership theory focuses on how leaders behave, and assumes that these traits can be copied by other leaders.
• –Contingency theory.
• –Great Man theory.
• –Management theory.
• –Participative theory.
• –Power theory.
• –Relationship theory.

There will be more opportunities for dialogue between you and your team, and a more tangible synergy. Changing your leadership style will also allow you to scale your involvement so that your management remains effective.

Change leaders create an inspiring vision, and advocate for that vision throughout the organization. They consider how change affects employees, their processes, and their tools. They work alongside company leaders, HR, and employees to successfully integrate the change rather than impose it.

Emotional Flexibility Adapting to change requires give and take between the leader and those experiencing the change. A leader without emotional flexibility is dismissive of others’ concerns and emotions and shuts down discussion. At the same time, an emotionally adaptive leader moves the change or agenda forward.

Here is a four-step process for how to change your leadership style and adapt to the right situation:

1. Detect. The first step to any sort of change is to identify the imperative to change.
2. Adapt.
3. Choose.
4. Adopt.

5 ways to… improve your impact on others

1. Figure out your style. We all have a basic motivational style that influences our behavior.
2. Spot when you’re overdoing it. Each style has its benefits, but can become a hindrance when realized to its extreme.
3. Look through their eyes.
4. Meet them in the middle.
5. Keep it real.

Different work situations call for different leadership styles, and most managers use one of two approaches: dominance or prestige. When you lead through dominance, you influence others by being assertive and leveraging your power and formal authority.

Situational leadership is a way of adjusting one’s management style to adapt to each situation or task, and the needs of the team or team member. The Situational Leadership Theory was developed by Ken Blanchard and Paul Hersey in 1969, under the notion that there is no “one size fits all” leadership style.