Developing Your Personal Leadership Style

Leadership is not a one size fits all concept. Each individual brings a unique blend of experiences, values, strengths, and perspectives that shape how they lead others. Developing your personal leadership style is about understanding yourself deeply, leveraging your strengths, and cultivating the ability to inspire, guide, and support those around you. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an emerging leader, understanding and refining your leadership style is essential for personal and organizational success.

This CMI assignment help for level 5 explores what a personal leadership style is, why it matters, and how you can develop your own authentic approach to leadership.

What Is a Personal Leadership Style?

A personal leadership style refers to the distinct way in which an individual leads others, makes decisions, communicates, and handles challenges. It is influenced by personality traits, life experiences, core values, cultural background, and professional environment.

Some common leadership styles include:

• Transformational Leadership – inspiring and motivating teams to innovate and grow.

• Transactional Leadership – focusing on structure, rewards, and performance.

• Servant Leadership – putting the needs of the team first and helping others grow.

• Democratic Leadership – encouraging participation and valuing team input.

• Autocratic Leadership – making decisions independently and maintaining strict control.

• Laissez-faire Leadership – offering freedom and autonomy to team members.

While these labels provide a helpful framework, most effective leaders do not fit neatly into one category. Instead, they blend different styles based on the situation and the people they’re leading.

Why Developing Your Own Leadership Style Matters

1. Authenticity

Authentic leadership builds trust. When your leadership style aligns with your true self, people can sense your sincerity. This leads to stronger relationships, greater loyalty, and higher team engagement.

2. Consistency and Clarity

A defined leadership style helps others understand what to expect from you. When your behavior is consistent, your team knows how to approach you, interpret your decisions, and collaborate effectively.

3. Improved Decision Making

Understanding your leadership tendencies can help you identify blind spots, biases, and strengths. This self awareness leads to better, more balanced decision-making.

4. Increased Confidence

Knowing your style helps you lead with confidence. You’re not trying to mimic someone else or fit into a mold you’re leading in a way that feels natural and effective.

Steps to Develop Your Personal Leadership Style

Step 1: Know Yourself

Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership.

Ask Yourself:

• What are my core values?

• How do I typically make decisions?

• How do I respond to stress or conflict?

• What motivates me?

• What are my greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Consider taking self assessment tools like:

• DISC Personality Test

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) assessments

• StrengthsFinder

These tools can offer insights into your natural tendencies and areas for development.

Step 2: Gather Feedback

Feedback from others can reveal aspects of your leadership style that you may not be aware of.

Strategies:

• Ask for feedback from colleagues, mentors, or team members.

• Use anonymous surveys to gather honest input.

• Request specific examples to better understand how your actions are perceived.

Being open to feedback demonstrates humility and a willingness to grow traits of effective leadership.

Step 3: Study Different Leadership Styles

Familiarize yourself with various leadership models and theories. This will help you identify techniques or qualities that resonate with you and those that don’t.

Some popular leadership theories to explore:

• Situational Leadership (Hersey & Blanchard)

• Servant Leadership (Robert Greenleaf)

• Transformational Leadership (James MacGregor Burns)

• Authentic Leadership (Bill George)

• Adaptive Leadership (Heifetz & Linsky)

You don’t have to choose just one. Instead, borrow elements from different styles to create your own hybrid approach.

Step 4: Define Your Leadership Philosophy

Once you've explored who you are and how you lead, write down your leadership philosophy a short statement that captures your core beliefs about leadership and how you want to lead others.

Example:

"I believe in leading by example, creating a safe environment for collaboration, and empowering individuals to reach their potential through trust, empathy, and continuous learning."

This statement serves as a compass when you're faced with tough decisions or new leadership challenges.

Step 5: Practice, Reflect, Adjust

Leadership development is a continuous process. The more you lead, the more you learn about yourself and your impact on others.

Reflection Tips:

• Keep a leadership journal to document challenges, wins, and lessons.

• After major projects or team interactions, reflect on what went well and what could be improved.

• Set personal development goals and track your progress.

Don't be afraid to evolve. As you grow in experience and encounter new environments, your leadership style should adapt accordingly.

Common Leadership Strengths and How to Use Them

As you develop your style, it's helpful to identify strengths that can define your approach:

1. Empathy

Leaders who lead with empathy understand the emotions and perspectives of others. This builds trust and psychological safety.

Tip: Use active listening and ask open ended questions to better support your team.

2. Vision

Visionary leaders inspire others with a compelling future. They see opportunities and communicate a clear direction.

Tip: Align team goals with a larger purpose to create motivation.

3. Accountability

Leaders who hold themselves and others accountable build credibility and drive results.

Tip: Set clear expectations and follow through consistently.

4. Resilience

Resilient leaders stay calm under pressure and recover quickly from setbacks.

Tip: Share challenges openly and model problem solving for your team.

5. Communication

Great leaders communicate clearly, honestly, and frequently.

Tip: Adapt your communication style to your audience and encourage feedback loops.

Challenges to Expect (and Overcome)

As you work on developing your leadership style, you may face some hurdles:

✅ Imposter Syndrome

You may feel like you’re not “leader material.” This is normal most leaders start with self-doubt. Focus on your growth, not perfection.

✅ Overreliance on One Style

Relying too heavily on a single leadership approach can limit your effectiveness. Stay flexible and adjust your style based on team dynamics or situations.

✅ Balancing Empathy with Authority

Being too lenient can lead to a lack of accountability, while being too rigid can erode trust. Aim for balance be firm but fair.

✅ Cultural or Organizational Constraints

Company culture or hierarchy may not always support your natural leadership style. Find ways to stay authentic while navigating constraints.

Conclusion: Leadership Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Developing your personal leadership style is not about becoming a perfect leader it’s about becoming a conscious, adaptable, and authentic one. The best leaders don’t pretend to be someone they’re not. They know who they are, continuously work on their growth, and lead in a way that feels genuine and effective.

By committing to self awareness, seeking feedback, studying leadership frameworks, and practicing your philosophy, you can build a leadership style that not only helps you succeed but also brings out the best in others.