Contemporary leadership styles: How relevant are they in today’s changing world

Introduction

In this blog, I will talk about the leadership theories and how to adapt for the future. Nevertheless, I would have two examples: one is about leader who can lead his company in a changing world, and another is the example of the industry that can also pass through this situation.

What is “Leadership”?

Leadership means the essentials of being ready and willing to inspire others (Ward, 2020). In addition, John A. Passanate (2018) claimed that the duty of the leader is a responsibility to aim the goal by creating favourable conditions for individual employees to reach their capabilities. Plus, listening and learning from all feedback in all levels of the organisation, being positive person and performing a positive culture in the company.

Leadership theories

CFI (2020) claimed that Leadership theories are points of view that aim to show how and why personally become leaders. The theories assert the characteristics and activities that people can use to improve their leadership qualities and skills..

(Indiafreenote, 2020)

The definition of 7 theories of leadership by Simplilearn (2021)

1. Great Man Theory : The best leader are born, not any skills. Also, the leadership skills are charisma, education, self-assurance, communication skills, and communication competence.

2. Trait Theory : This theory improve from the Great Man theory. Believing that leaders are born with their own capabilities that making they are suitable to be the leader than others who lack those talents.

3. Behavioral Theories : This theories is the opposite of the Great Man Theory. It shows that a person can learn to be a perfect leader who can manage the organisation. These theories is the best one theories.

4. Contingency Theories : The leader in this theories depends on his adaptation. A leader’s ability is to be able to cope with change. The best leaders not only have the right traits, but also the capacity to recognise their people’ demands, analyze the needs, and act properly.

5. Charismatic Leadership Theory : A trait-based leadership theory in which leaders act as visions motivated by their values and use their charm and persuasiveness to motivate their followers to work for a common vision.

6. Transactional Leadership Theory :  These leadership theories base their evaluations on benefits and punishments. This is a common business idea to control the employees because this theory is the normal thing in life. This is one of the most usually applied business concepts.

7. Transformational Leadership Theory : Another name is Relationship theories. Focusing on the relationship between leaders and employees. These leaders are all concerned with the team’s success, on the other hand, caring about presenting individual team members with the necessary inspiration to reach their full capabilities. Plus, these theories will assist you in developing your capabilities.

Also, Leadership theories separate into three phases: Traditional Theories, Modern Theories and New theories. (Ola and Lok, 2019, p. 11)

(Ola and Lok, 2019, p. 11)

What is “Contemporary leadership”?

Gordon, J. (2021) said that contemporary leadership can separate into 4 modules:
Transformational leadership – As means of leadership, the transformational leadership approach reveals leader charisma, inspiring motivation, intellectual challenge, and personalized consideration.

Leader-member exchange (LMX) – LMX approach the relationship between leader and employees. Trust-based connections is the key point of leadership effectiveness.

Servant leadership – Caring about the customer-oriented feedback and another recent focus is on the importance of being loyal to yourself as a leader.

Authentic leadership – Focusing on the element that the leader wants to know. Great leaders should adapt themselves depend on the demands of the situation, values and moral compass.

Leadership style

(Live and learn, 2021)

About leadership style, it has 6 different in Business module. It would separate by the job role in the workplace. (Live and learn, 2021)

1. Autocratic Leadership Style – A direct and forceful style in which leader can complete authority and control over their subordinates. Leaders who follow an autocratic style tend to rule through force and fear. They are outstandingly goal-oriented and self-motivated to reach their goals.

2. Visionary Leadership Style – This style is a leader who are self-confident in engaging people, brainstorming and innovating a new direction of the organisation.

3. Affiliative Leadership Style – Tend to lead by using relationships. Focusing on strengthening relationships, increasing trust of the employees, and creating a strong team connection.

4. Democratic Leadership Style – The ideal leadership style. This style is allowed all staffs can share their ideas and encourage teamwork. Employees feel completely more valued in their career field when they have a say.

5. Pace-Setting Leadership – Leaders who set the pace expect their teams to achieve high performance; they are extremely motivated and expect others to follow in their footsteps. This style is not suitable for long-term basis.

6. Coaching Leadership Style – This leadership style highlights positive encouragement while developing every team member’s skill set and traits. This style is suitable for long-term basis.

The example of the leader who can lead the industry in a changing world

In this blog, the example is Steve Hare, who is the CEO of multinational software firm Sage (Technology industry).

Blain (2020) claimed that Steve Hare is the one in the top ten list who can hold the company in the pandemic situation. In addition, valuing work-life balance, looking after employees’ overall health, offering workable and flexible and/or remote working rules, establishing health benefits, and maintaining frequent and clear communication channels are common factors among the most highly rated CEOs during COVID-19.

(ICAEW, 2021)

Steve Hare (2020) said that the pandemic situation made the economic uncertainly. He cannot predict or design the company’s plan in long-term basis. However, before caring of his business, he thought that the government should recover the small and the medium organisation first. Because it was the fundamental of the economy.

Those who recognise and adapt to the fundamental change we are facing will win easily from this crisis. Those who try to continue to “business as usual” in a changing world that has changed without awareness will be the losers (Hare, 2020)

However, Graham, J. (2021), who is the HR of Sage company, states that leaders need new skills and capabilities in the post-pandemic era. For example, “Global and Local mindset” – Leaders will be required to think and act on a global scale. However, in this digital age, leaders must be aware of and responsive to the needs and preferences of different customers, local communities, and also the internal communities wherein they operate.

Nevertheless, we know that the pandemic situation still continuing so, we are facing the “unknowable future”. The first thing after leaders adapting themselves is supporting the employees who have high capabilities. (Graham, 2021)

Conclusion

In a changing world situation, in my opinion, adaptability is more essential than the theory. You can care you employees, but you have to care the environment in the business too. Like Graham, J. (2021) said, the leader should adapt their attitude like thinking out of the box. Challenging a new world in this situation without any surprised by what the future might be. Furthermore, Hudson (2020) claimed that no ideal way in leadership theories and styles for all management situations.

(Hudson, 2020)

Hope this blog will help all of you guys more understanding about Leadership style in a changing world. Thank you for reading

If you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact me via comment. Thank you again!

Reference list

Blain, R. (2020, September 23). Top 10 CEOs: Who makes a good leader during the pandemic?. https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/top-10-ceos-who-makes-a-good-leader-during-the-pandemic

CFI (n.d.). Leadership Theories. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/leadership-theories/

Gordon, J. (2021, July 19). Contemporary Leadership Theories – Explained. https://thebusinessprofessor.com/en_US/management-leadership-organizational-behavior/contemporary-leadership-theories

Graham, J. (2021, July 16). Leadership Development Post Pandemic. https://blog.sage.hr/hr-leadership-development-post-pandemic-human-resources/

Hudson. (2020). Leadership strategy that drives your business today and tomorrow. https://au.hudson.com/employers/leadership  

ICAEW. (2021, August 12). ICAEW Business Spotlight: Steve Hare, CEO of Sage, on leading through a crisis. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd9gJXR7sLA

Indiafreenotes (2020, March 10). Theories of leadership. https://indiafreenotes.com/theories-of-leadership/

Live and Learn (2021). 6 Different Leadership Styles Every Leader in Business Must Know. https://www.liveandlearnconsultancy.co.uk/different-leadership-styles/

Ola, B. and Lok, A. (2019). Leadership and medical leadership. Chapter 2. Routledge. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-development-of-leadership-theories_fig1_341576997

Passante, J. (2018, June 22). Guest Commentary: The Duty Of Leadership. https://www.aftermarketnews.com/guest-commentary-the-duty-of-leadership/

Simplilearn (2021, September 29). 7 Major Leadership Theories Every Manager Should Master in 2021. https://www.simplilearn.com/top-leadership-theories-every-manager-should-know-article

Steve Hare (2020, May 9). Let’s use local shops and save our vital national champions, says boss of software giant Sage. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/comment/article-8304023/SAGE-BOSS-Lets-use-local-shops-save-champions.html

Ward, S. (2020, September 17). What Is Leadership? . https://www.thebalancesmb.com/leadership-definition-2948275