Monday, October 02, 2006

Hybels on leadership styles

On the BuildingChurchLeader's website, there is a great article by Bill Hybels taken from the Winter 1998 copy of Leadership Journal magazine where he identifies different leadership styles and the situations where they are most effective. He cites Certain Trumpets by Gary Wills when he writes,

Wills describes the enormous impact of great leaders whose particular leadership style meshed perfectly with a certain need in society.

For example, when people are being oppressed and want to break free from that yoke, the situation calls for a radical, transforming leader.

In a complex, pluralistic democracy, with thousands of constituencies that must be drawn together to form a government, a political or electoral leader is necessary.

In war time, a military style of leadership works best.

During an ideologically intense social struggle, an intellectual leader might fit the bill.

Wills effectively argues that there are many different styles of leadership, and certain styles fit certain leadership needs better than others.

Hybels then lays out the following ten different leadership styles he has identified with comments about how each functions most effectively:

1. Visionary leader
2. Directional leader
3. Strategic leader
4. Managing leader
5. Motivational leader
6. Shepherding leader
7. Team-building leader
8. Entrepreneurial leader
9. Re-engineering leader
10. Bridge-building leader

He concludes, "Whatever your style, recognize it, celebrate it, and step up to the plate and lead."

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