Walk Off Winning

6Leaders Lead the Way

We have discussed how a leader's attitude and positive outlook can be such a fuel to the organization he or she is part of. Those traits and values can dictate what type of leadership style you might have. Many people engage in studying leadership and its various styles numerous times. I really believe there are three basic leadership styles and you can choose one of them or a combination: dictator, servant, and empowerment leadership.

Let me share a fictitious story with you to demonstrate the dangerous type of dictator leadership.

John and His New Boss

John is excited because today his new boss, David, will be introduced to the entire company. After weeks of rumors and chatter, the new sheriff is in town! As John gets ready that morning, his wife is doing her best to get two half-awake kids downstairs to the breakfast table and off to school for the day.

“Hey, honey, need any help?” John says halfheartedly.

She gives her shifty smile as to send a message: “Yeah, right, big help you are.”

But, being the keen leader of the family, she recognizes that John's mind is in another place. They talked the previous night about the introduction of David, the new CEO, coming on board.

John works at a company of roughly 90 employees, all hardworking blue-collar types. Although they're worn down from long hours and are hoping someday they might be awarded raises for their efforts, everyone tends to get along. Despite the usual office cliques, there was nothing that ...