Is Your Organization Run by the Right Kind of Leader? An Overview of the Different Leadership Styles

Abstract

The world today is experiencing a leadership crisis. One thing is evident: The leadership style that worked in the industrial economy will not work today where integrity and creativity are crucial if an organization is to thrive. We live in an information/knowledge economy defined by accelerating change, flux, globalization, instability, and the need to adapt quickly. This paper describes various leadership styles that include transformational leadership, servant leadership, spiritual leadership, Level 5 leadership, compassionate leadership, ethical leadership, benevolent leadership, and more. Successful leaders will develop a leadership style that works best for their organizations and avoid becoming narcissistic and totally self-absorbed, traits that can destroy their corporations.

Keywords: Leadership, Lewin’s three styles of leadership, transactional vs. transformational leadership, servant leadership, spiritual leadership, Level 5 leadership, ethical leadership, benevolent leadership, conscious capitalism, charismatic leadership, narcissistic leadership, situational leader

JEL Classification: A22, A23, D81, G18, G21, I20, L20, L21, M14, M19, M31, Q20, Q38