How to Change Leadership Style
Leaders generally have a certain set of skills that makes them effective and able to lead others. However, depending on the type of leadership position and the team of people being led, a change is sometimes necessary. Changing leadership style involves careful self-observation and the ability to tweak certain behaviors. If you are successful, then you may find that your leadership skills are stronger than they were before your self-assessment.
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Instructions
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Solicit usable feedback from your team. Ask for honest answers about how they feel your leadership style affects the team, your assignments and the department or company overall. The key to this exercise is that you cannot be offended by some of the answers; you don't have to change everything. However, honest feedback is the only way to know where you can improve.
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Conduct a self-assessment and find out where you think your own strengths and weaknesses lie as a leader. Then compare this information to what you received from your staff and figure out where there are parallels. This gives you a good idea of where to make changes and what elements of your style actually help to make your team more effective and efficient.
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Change small aspects of your style at a time, instead of trying to initiate sweeping reform in your leadership abilities. For example, perhaps your feedback shows you are too controlling and don't trust subordinates to handle assignments without you. Use the next midrange project as a tester to change this behavior. Once you see how it goes, you may be more willing to allow your team to lead several projects at one time.
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Alter your leadership style to the situation. According to Marilyn Manning, a certified management consultant, not all styles of leadership apply broadly to all situations. Learn how to tailor your style to the right situation. For example, if you are fiercely independent and like to keep to yourself and allow your employees to do the same, you may need to change it up for a large, important project or company-wide directive.
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