A philosophy of leadership is a methodical approach to managing others. As a guiding principle for use as a guide, while leading a team, leaders frequently write philosophies. Generally, leadership philosophies include the following components:
- Theory
- Attitude
- Guiding principles
- Behavior
Depending on the objectives and requirements of the leader, a leadership philosophy’s structure can vary significantly. Statements can range in length from a single sentence to a full page or more. Any length or structure is acceptable for a leadership philosophy because they are highly personalized documents.
Table of Contents
What Is A Leadership Philosophy?
Your leadership philosophy should be in writing so that you can refer to it whenever you need to be reminded of your leadership objectives. Your leadership philosophy is a state of mind.
Your philosophy can serve as a constant reminder of what’s most crucial whenever you find yourself in a challenging situation.
Whether you are a manager of a team of 100 employees or a parent trying to guide your family toward a better future, you should do this.
Leaders can take many different forms, after all. You may be in charge of a team of volunteers. Alternatively, you could be a fitness instructor guiding your class through a challenging exercise.
No matter how big or small your role is as a leader, a leadership philosophy can guide your decision-making and serve as a reminder of your personal values.
8 Leadership Philosophies
Knowing your leadership philosophy is crucial because it affects how you interact with those who report to you. Are you ready to learn which leadership philosophies work best for you? The eight common leadership philosophies listed below each have advantages and disadvantages. Pick the one which suits your needs and personality:
1. Democratic Leadership Philosophy
A democratic leadership philosophy is a style of management that is based on public democracy; in this style, the team leader makes decisions after hearing from each team member. Each team member has an equal voice in the direction the project should take, even though the leader ultimately has the final say.
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2. Autocratic Leadership Philosophy
The antithesis of the democratic leadership philosophy is the autocratic leadership philosophy, in which the team members are not consulted when making decisions. Prior to a change in the project’s direction, employees are neither consulted nor taken into account; instead, they are expected to follow the leader’s decision.
3. Laissez-faire Leadership Philosophy
The French term “Laissez-faire” translates to “let them do”. Employers are fully trusted by leaders who adhere to the laissez-faire leadership philosophy, and they are given the power to make important decisions. The least intrusive type of leadership is this one. There are no significant rules set by leaders regarding deadlines or working hours.
4. Strategic Leadership Philosophy
Because it supports multiple employee types simultaneously, strategic leadership philosophy is a preferred leadership style in many businesses. The problem arises when leaders are unable to strike a balance between doing what is best for the business and encouraging everyone’s ideas.
5. Transformational Leadership Philosophy
The foundation of the transformational leadership philosophy is the constant prodding of employees to work outside of their comfort zones by leaders. Because it inspires workers to realize their potential, this style of leadership is highly valued by growth-oriented businesses. The company’s customs are constantly changing and getting better thanks to this philosophy.
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6. Transactional Leadership Philosophy
Nowadays, it’s fairly typical for leaders to adopt a transactional mindset. In this arrangement, managers reward staff members for the work that they have actually completed. Incentives are offered when employing such a philosophy to motivate individuals to quickly master the task. Roles and responsibilities for each employee are established with the aid of the transactional philosophy.
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7. Solution-based Leadership
Collectively focusing on the promising future is a key component of the solution-based leadership philosophy. This occurs when followers and leaders both put their energies and focus into finding and putting into practice solutions. Leaders in this style of leadership are problem-focused and draw attention to the appropriate solutions.
8. Learning Leadership
Leadership that prioritizes learning and teaching is referred to as “learning leadership philosophy.” They encourage a culture of lifelong learning, make decisions based on facts and evidence, and establish priorities. In order to promote continuous improvement, learning leadership fosters a learner-centered environment within an organization.
What Should A Leadership Philosophy Look Like?
Start by considering the personal qualities that are most important to you when creating your leadership philosophy. Here are a few examples:
- Kindness
- Strength
- Bravery
- Authoritative
- Respectful
- Integrity
- Loyalty
- Hard-working
- Collaborative
- Adventurous
While not exhaustive, this list should help you get a sense of the principles and qualities you can incorporate into your leadership philosophy. You may want to instill these values in your team as well as your own personal ones.
Write about each of the four to five values that, in your opinion, best describe who you are as a person. Include an explanation of how you hope those values will affect or guide your team. Then go one step further.
If your team adopted those values as well, describe how it would function or what the outcome would be.
Would your sales staff smash all previous records? Would participants in your fitness class return each week for more? Would your children begin to exhibit traits like kindness and bravery in their daily lives?
Your ultimate goals will become clear once you have the answers to these questions. Then, when you’re having a difficult day or dealing with a personnel issue, you read over your leadership philosophy to remind yourself of the ultimate objectives.
Leadership Philosophy Template
Here is a model that you can adapt to develop your own leadership ethos. If you will, it’s similar to a generator for leadership philosophies. Simply take your time filling in the blanks.
I define leadership as _______, _______, and _______. To be an effective leader, I think I should _______, _______, and ________. To _______, ________, and _______, I will motivate my team. I value ______, _______, and _________ in myself and in my team members. I won’t put up with myself or those I lead doing _________. As a leader, my overarching objective is __________.
You should not be able to finish this in ten minutes, so bear that in mind. Spend as much time as necessary considering your team’s values in order for it to be truly effective. If it will be more helpful, you can even use bullet points.
Actually, there are no right or wrong ways to approach this. As was already stated, each person has a personal and distinctive leadership philosophy. So, record what you feel is right for you.
Leadership Philosophy Examples
Different leaders may have different philosophies of leadership. One must take the time to comprehend which kind of leadership style best suits them based on their requirements and personality. To better understand the differences, let’s examine some instances of various leadership philosophies.
1. Transformational leadership by example
Example of transformational leadership philosophy:
I think that in order to advance, change must be constant. I’ll help my team perform better by inspiring them and offering direction. By establishing attainable goals and assisting my team in overcoming obstacles, I hope to get the best performance out of them.
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2. Transactional philosophy of leadership examples
A philosophy based on incentives, transactional philosophy. Let us look at an example:
By rewarding my team for their hard work, I hope to inspire them. I think that rewarding my team with praise and letting them work independently is the best way to get them moving.
3. Strategic leadership philosophy statement
Here is an example of strategic leadership philosophy:
Everyone who is a part of my duty, in my opinion, has a specific task to complete. Setting objectives and deadlines in advance will help me maximize each person’s productivity. I’ll continue to prioritize important business requirements.
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4. Leadership personal statement examples
Here is a leading personal statement example:
Since I am adamant that honest feedback is one of the essential components of effective leadership, I will concentrate on listening to it and will urge my team to do the same. My staff has my complete support, and I will lead with integrity.
5. Real-life example of leadership
When Steve Jobs created the iPod and iPhone, which is a good real-world example. It is evidence of Apple and Steve Jobs’ genius. In this illustration, it is discussed how forward-thinking leaders can help businesses succeed by staying one step ahead of the curve.
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6. Leadership vision examples
Let us look at an example of a leadership vision statement:
I want to support the expansion and goals of my organization. The goal of my relationship-building with my team members is to inspire them to reach their full potential. In an effort to solve issues, I will make efforts.
7. Personal leadership philosophy sample
An example of personal leadership philosophy by a CEO:
I give my team members attainable objectives that can be measured. I look for ways to enhance workplace culture and foster a pleasant environment. Under my direction, communication, trust, and integrity have flourished. I disagree with disregarding obligations and one’s work.
8. Examples of leadership philosophy statements
Example depicting personal leadership philosophy:
Leadership to me is about commitment, bravery, and respect for all people. I have a responsibility to my team and organization as a leader. I need to communicate clearly, set an example for others to follow, and work hard.
9. Democratic leading examples
Example of Democratic leadership philosophy:
I’m going to share responsibility and listen to everyone on my team’s opinions. While implementing new policies, I will respect my team, pay attention to their opinions, and take them into account. I promise to act with consideration, kindness, and empathy.
10. Educational leadership philosophy examples
Example of Educational leadership philosophy:
I’ve committed myself to enhancing the educational opportunities for those who work for me. I think the only way to advance and raise team output is to constantly learn. I’ll work to establish a learning environment that encourages ongoing development.
11. Autocratic leadership practices examples
An example of autocratic leadership philosophy:
I feel most qualified to make decisions that will affect my entire team. I am capable of motivating the group and guiding them by example. I’ll lead my team by giving them instructions and delegating tasks so they can accomplish the company’s goals and objectives.
Why Is A Leadership Philosophy Important?
Having a leadership philosophy like this is important because it helps keep your values in perspective. People will respect you if you treat them with respect at home or at work. No matter how high you rise or how much power you ultimately wield, this will always be true.
A leadership philosophy also serves as a reminder of the behaviors you expect from your team members and yourself. As a result, you can use your leadership philosophy as a guide if one of your team members, who you may like personally, isn’t exhibiting a strong work ethic.
If you don’t tolerate laziness, as stated in your philosophy statement, you are free to correct behaviors without feeling bad about yourself or your leadership abilities. In essence, having that philosophy down in writing serves as a reminder that you must hold yourself to a high standard in order to motivate others to do the same.
It also serves as a reminder that if the team and you don’t embody certain values, you won’t be able to accomplish your objectives.
Writing Your Leadership Philosophy Statement
You ought to feel inspired to use concepts from each of these leadership philosophies and create your own alchemy now. Take these base metals and merge them into one leadership philosophy YOU can define. What would you call your leadership philosophies? Come up with some names.
Why did you arrive at your new leadership philosophy based on your personal experiences?
Leadership philosophies are very unique to you and tailored to your circumstances. Your leadership philosophies must accurately represent your true values and the circumstances of various employees.
You’ll have a much better idea of what inquiries you should make of yourself to create a philosophy that is true to your beliefs, though, by taking examples into consideration when writing your own leadership philosophy statement.
Popular Beliefs About Leadership
Popular beliefs about leadership that great leaders must adhere to:
- Vision – To help his or her followers understand why their efforts matter, a leader must articulate a purpose.
- Trust – People should be able to trust their leaders, so they must be fair and consistent.
- Integrity – A leader needs to take responsibility for their actions and shouldn’t be afraid to do so.
- Communication – People must be encouraged to express their ideas and opinions under strong leadership. They ought to have an equal chance to communicate.
- Responsibility – In order to have committed employees, leaders must be able to keep their promises.
Summary
Running a team, an organization, or a business effectively requires a solid leadership philosophy. When your leadership style is based on a solid set of values and principles, you’ll stay committed to your objectives and be more likely to regularly inspire and motivate your team members.
