What Type of Leader Are You?

Know Thyself

The ancient Greeks had a saying, “Know thyself.”  Carved above the entrance to the main temple at Delphi, ancient philosophers including Socrates and Plato taught the importance of introspection.

If you aspire to make an impact, to lead others, or to create change, these are two words that should be an important part of your personal development. Understanding your own leadership style is critically important.

What’s Your Primary Style? Take Our Quiz Below

We all have a default style of leadership. You may be an autocratic leader. That means that you are more of a commander than a persuader. Or you may be more of a delegator, hiring others to handle tasks and trusting them to get it done right.

We can change our style. The combination of self-awareness and self-discipline give us the ability to change our style depending on the situation we face. We may have a default style, but all of us can learn to adjust and take on a different style when needed.

There is no perfect ideal style. But there is an ideal style of leadership for each situation. In other words, you may need motivation in one area of your life. Motivational leadership may provide what you need to get going at the gym. “You can do it!” may motivate you. Find yourself in a crisis and that may not fly. Instead you need someone telling you what to do, in detail, with little room for alternatives.

Knowing someone else’s primary style is as important as knowing your own. I once worked for a woman who was completely hands-off, allowing me a great deal of freedom. Another wanted to provide commands and a checklist for me to report on. If you want to get a high rating at performance time, you need to know your boss’ style. And if someone works for you, it’s even more important. You can increase the odds of success if you choose the leader who best fits a situation.

Leadership Style

So what is your leadership style? Take our leadership test and find out. Have people you work with take it. And it matters at home, too, so have your significant other take it. You will increase your self-awareness and begin to “Know thyself.”

 

 

 

Take the leadership quiz »

 

 

Question 1 of 15

1. I allow others to decide what is most important, when it should be done, and how.

 Never

 Always

 Occasionally

Question 1 of 15

Question 2 of 15

2. When there are conflicts between people, I

 Usually leave them alone since they need to figure out how to work together

 Figure out who is most likely right and convince the others to change their positions

 Decide who is right and make it clear that the matter is resolved

Question 2 of 15

Question 3 of 15

3. You suddenly find yourself CEO of a global company. A news report says one of your company’s products is causing serious injuries. What do you do?

 I decide what to say and schedule a news conference.

 I convene a leadership meeting where we debate and decide the best way forward.

 I let this play out. It will work out given time.

Question 3 of 15

Question 4 of 15

4. Faced with a difficult problem, I

 Think about potential options, make a decision and then share the solution.

 Assemble a group, take suggestions and together we arrive at a solution.

 Share it with others and know that it will work out for the best with little intervention from me.

Question 4 of 15

Question 5 of 15

5. To advance my career, I achieved my status by

 I advanced through hard work, determination and the results of my own decisions.

 I advanced by getting the best from other people and managing others who helped achieve great results.

 Allowing things to happen as they were meant to happen created an atmosphere that helped me succeed

Question 5 of 15

Question 6 of 15

6. A major strategic decision for our organization is best decided by:

 Me. I’m the leader. The buck stops here.

 The leadership team. If they are not on board as a group, it is unlikely to have long lasting success.

 Fate and time. We don’t control the future, so let it go and expect the best.

Question 6 of 15

Question 7 of 15

7. When someone has a potential solution to a problem, I

 Listen and then make a decision.

 Take it to the group to vote. I make the decision if it is split.

 Tell the person to do whatever is best.

Question 7 of 15

Question 8 of 15

8. To monitor performance, I

 Ask for frequent status reports, watch behavior, and follow up consistently to ensure results.

 I don’t. I expect people to monitor themselves and make decisions.

 Check-in, show support and offer advice and counsel.

Question 8 of 15

Question 9 of 15

9. You are now the leader. In your first team meeting, you

 Go around the room and ask for updates.

 Use the opportunity to explain direction, tell people what’s expected, and what to do in the coming week.

 Review the organization’s major goals and have a team discussion on how best to achieve them.

Question 9 of 15

Question 10 of 15

10. Others give me advice on a business problem:

 When they have a good idea and want to share it with the group. We make a decision together.

 When they want an opinion, but I will leave it up to him/her to decide what’s best in the end.

 I’m the leader, so don’t tell me what to do.

Question 10 of 15

Question 11 of 15

11. If you leave people alone,

 They will surprise you with good results.

 The whole organization will suffer with lack of clarity and direction.

 They will realize that the leadership team creates better results when working together.

Question 11 of 15

Question 12 of 15

12. Our business challenges are best solved

 When I decide the best course of action

 Through consensus, though I will make the tough calls

 By allowing others to lead as they see fit

Question 12 of 15

Question 13 of 15

13. When I hire someone to do a job,

 I stay out of the way because he/she is the expert.

 I outline the goal and follow-up to provide support.

 I give specific tasks, follow-up closely, monitor performance and give detailed direction.

Question 13 of 15

Question 14 of 15

14. You’ve just been selected to run a news program. One of your reporters was assigned a political event, but calls you with a lead on a breaking story of a bank robbery. You say:

 “Run with it. You’re the expert, have done this before, and know what will drive ratings.”

 “Cover the bank story immediately. I want both covered on the news tonight and your job is to make it happen.”

 “Let me get back to you. I want to see if we have options to cover both. Others will have some good input.”

Question 14 of 15

Question 15 of 15

15. Rules are meant

 To be followed

 To be used as guidelines and we change them as needed

 As suggestions

Question 15 of 15

 Loading…