Maybe like me, you grew up wondering if you could be a "leader," but weren't necessarily in the loop on what the definition of one was. We're so used to seeing leaders be people who give great speeches or battle cry motivation that we don't consider the other styles out there.A pastor named Bill Hybels onced illustrated the following ten different leadership styles he has identified in serving with his church as well as with others in the marketplace.
1. Visionary leader: This is the person who comes forth and says, "I have a dream, and I have to... I must... share it with you."
2. Directional leader: When a group of people find themselves at a fork in the road, there is someone who steps forward with an intuitive word and says, "That way. We simply *must* go that way."
3. Strategic leader: While the visionary leader may be great at the big picture, this type of leader steps up and strategically says, "Here are the steps we need to take to get there."
4. Managing leader: Once the process is in motion, someone needs to be sure it stays productive. This individual is the one who keeps the processes happening.
5. Motivational leader: Morale can make or break a system, so someone is needed to keep the carrot in front of everyone. A leader like this is invaluable, be it up front encouragement or sideline conversations.
6. Shepherding leader: No one wants to feel simply used, but rather that they matter. A shepherding leader walks with people in such a way that they know they matter whether as a human being.
7. Team-building leader: It takes a special knack to put the right people in the right places. A leader like this can identify the "who" with the "what" so that everyone gets involved.
8. Entrepreneurial leader: A special kind of leader is needed to come in, get a new thing going, and then hand it off to another. They may bounce around a lot, but it actually "works" for the organization because they create ways of covering needs no one else even knew existed.
9. Re-engineering leader: Once something is in motion, it may need to be retooled. To do this without everything shutting down takes an art, and that's where this leader comes in.
10. Bridge-building leader: Relationships are the most important asset to any endeavor, and someone is needed to add that glue when things have become broken. In administrative situations, this person may also help connect two dots that may not have normally been thought to go together.
So what kind of leader are you?
Which is most natural to you?
Which is expected of you, even if it isn't most natural to you?
