Daniel Goleman, "Leadership That Gets Results"

The Idea in Brief

Many managers mistakenly assume that leadership style is a function of personality rather than strategic choice, Instead of choosing the one style that suits their temperament, they should ask which style best addresses the demands of a particular situation.

Research has shown that the most successful leaders have strengths in the following emotional intelligence competencies:

- self-awareness

- self-regulation

- motivation

- empathy

- social skills

There are six basic style of leadership; each makes use of the key components of emotional intelligence in different combinations. The best leaders don't know just one style of leadership - they're skilled at several, and have the flexiblitily to switch between styles as the sircumstances dictate.

The Idea in Practice

Managers often fail to appreciate how profoundly the organizational climate can influence financial results. It can account for nearly third of financial performance. Organizational climate, in turn, is influenced by leadership style - by the way that managers motivate direct reports, gather and use information, make decisions, manage change initiatives, and handle crises.

The six basic leadership styles are:

1. The coercive style

2. The authoritative style

3. the affiliative style

4. The democratic style

5. The pacetting style

6. The coaching style

Leadership That Gets Results

New research suggest that the most effective executives use a collection of distinct leadership styles - each in the right measure, at just the right time. Such flexibility is tough to put into action, but it pays off in performance. And better yet, in can be learned.

"What do effective leaders do?"

They sets strategy; they motivate; they create a mission; they build a culture.

"What should leaders do?"

The leader's singular job is to get results.

"How?"

- inference, experience, instinct

- emotional intelligence

- do not rely on one leadership style, depending on the business situation

- the pro senses the challenge ahead, swiftly pulls out the right tool, and elegantly puts it to work