Different Leader Styles

According to Elizabeth Lolly, there are five distinct styles of leadership:

1. Chain of Command: Level one, an unempowered environment, positions the leader above and separate from the work group.
2. Leader is Central: At level two, the leader moves from above the workers to the center of the unit, but a clear distinction still exists between what the leader does and what people in the work unit do. The leader is central to most communication within the group and channels communication from upper management to the group.
3. Transition: At level three, the leader begins to shift decision-making authority for basic tasks to members of the group or the work group as a whole. Some members might begin to take on responsibilities belonging traditionally to the leader. The leader also encourages communication, cooperation, and teamwork among group members whenever possible. However. the leader still is central to the group, especially as the initiator of the transition to empowerment.
4. Partnership: No longer central to decision making, the leader becomes a partner to group members in level four. The links between group members might become even stronger. They might depend on each other as much as on the leader for information, help on decisions, and support. Their scope of empowerment has widened. Not only do group members make decisions about how they do theirjobs, but they also assume many of the responsibilities and decisions formerly held by the leader.
5. Highly Empowered: At level five, group members are self-directed.. The leader's primary role is to coach, counsel, and support them. Group members take responsibility for and make decisions about tasks and jobs, including most responsibilities that had been their leader's. The leader still provides direction and acts as a resource, often tackling issues outside the group.