It is easy to recommend a specific management style for people to follow. Unfortunately, one size that fits all rarely works. I have seen too many managers be unsuccessful because they have little empathy for those that they lead or supervise. The most successful leaders will be able to change their style to meet the specific needs of the employee and the situation. This skill is an integral component of emotional intelligence. Leaders with higher levels of emotional intelligence will be more successful in the long run.
Adapting your leadership style with the aid of emotional intelligence is akin to playing a game of poker. Your approach, your style of bluffing, the cards that you hold, the odds of successfully drawing new cards, your opponents, can change every single hand. Your management style must have the same flexibility to deal with different employees, competitors, deals, situations, etc. It is important that we do not confuse our values with the ability to change our management style. Our values should always hold true and consistent. Our style to handle specific problems can be flexible.
Copyright 2010 - Jim Lindell