If you’ve studied any course on management theory or leadership models, then you’ll know full well that there are many different approaches to leadership. Each style is designed for different scenarios or management hierarchies; however, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the following 3 methods are the most successful, regardless of circumstance.

Collaborative leading

Leading by collaborating with others is a handy leadership tool, one that allows you to extract the maximum value from your workers. It’s important for your workers to feel valued and appreciated. Collaborating with them directly in close-knit teams enables you to draw from meaningful insights and ideas they might have about the business’ strategic direction. The Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, Sherly Sandberg, is widely regarded as one of the most famous collaborative leaders.

Leading via consensus and democracy

The second leadership philosophy is referred to as “consensus leading”. Instead of the business leader (CEO, manager, etc.) making decisions with little input, consensus leading would see that same leader gather their teams and take a vote. Much like a democracy, the majority rules. This decision-making style is valid in terms of bolstering corporate culture and making everyone feel included; however, there are some noticeable drawbacks. What happens if you have a 51-49 split? It’s not exactly a substantial majority and moving forward with the decision could see a lot of workers distressed or disappointed.

Command, authoritative leadership

Sometimes known as an autocratic style, a commanding philosophy to leadership is the direct antithesis to the consensus style. In an authoritative management framework, teams are not consulted, and the top executives make the decisions. This can be quite toxic; however, it isn’t always negative. Some sectors and business styles require an authoritative mode of leadership. For example, military forces maintain their commitment to the chain of command, which sees a delegation of tasks and authority based on rank and posting.

Everyone aspires to be a great leader, regardless of the context or situation. Becoming a leader takes time, patience and persistence. Some people come equipped with natural leadership; however, that doesn’t suddenly make them perfect leaders. If you think your leadership acumen needs some refreshing, here are some vital leadership takeaways from some of history’s best leaders.

Humble sacrifice – Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a visionary leader. He was imprisoned for decades, yet when released preached a message of forgiveness and respect. He was the first South African President to be democratically elected (in fair elections). He helped move the country out of the apartheid era, and his policies were committed to peace and prosperity. He had to sacrifice to achieve his goals.

Courage and determination – Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks is a seminal figure in the 1960s civil rights movement. She famously refused to give up her seat on the bus or comply with the racial segregation policies administered on public transport in Alabama. Her defiance reflected her courage and passion for racial equality, which has made her an icon in the civil rights movement.

Persistence and unity – Abraham Lincoln

As the first Republican President of the United States, Lincoln was instrumental in the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which precipitated the abolition of slavery in the United States. Lincoln kept the nation together, even when the Civil War threatened to rip the country apart. His leadership is a potent reminder that leaders, of all creeds and followings, must remain steadfast in their convictions.

Innovation and creativity – Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States when her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the 32^nd President of the United States. She redefined the role by taking an active part in political and social concerns. She continued her humanitarian efforts by assisting in the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

If you were to peruse random blog sites about leadership styles, the current president would undoubtedly be mentioned. While most of it is likely unfavourable, some public commentators have applauded the incumbent president’s management approach and philosophy, arguing that his election was a necessary shake-up of American politics. So, what are some of the pros and cons of Trump’s leadership ethos and principles?

Cons

There are a plethora of problems attached to Donald Trump’s leadership mantra. His campaign ethos, “America first” succinctly embodies one of these core flaws – his inability to collaborate. He continually disagrees with other world leaders, theorists and other vocal subject matter experts. This has seen him pull the US out of the NATO agreement, withdraw from the World Health Organisation and initiate a trade war with China.

Furthermore, President Trump’s leadership has been widely criticised because of his inability to own unfortunate strategic mistakes made by his administration. He criticised former President Obama for overusing Executive Orders, before proceeding to use more executive orders in his first 100 days than any other president since World War II.

Pros

Despite his polarising nature and conduct, Trump’s most ardent followers would argue that the president’s leadership philosophy does have some strengths. Whether you agree with his vision or not, you can’t deny that he does have a visionary outlook for the United States. He wants millions of jobs for unemployed Americans, greater economic security and reduced reliance on foreign powers for trade. People know what he stands for, which is a testament to the way he has articulated his messaging.

Moreover, there’s no denying that he is authentic. Historically speaking, it’s almost impossible to get a straight answer out of a politician. With Trump, on the other hand, it’s easy. He says what he’s thinking, and his followers believe it.