04/10/2024
**What’s the Best Leadership Style? 🧐**
💡 What does science say?
Two visionary leaders can have two completely different styles. Just look at Steve Jobs and Bill Gates—there’s no one-size-fits-all method to leadership; both achieved monumental success.
But when it comes to what actually works best…
📚 Through 🚀
A comprehensive review of 139 studies published in Psychological Bulletin found that people flourish when they’re given the freedom to determine how to achieve their goals.
I’ve often done this, and it works.
✅ Hire someone for their values and motivation
✅ Show them the ‘End in mind’
✅ Let them propose their job description
When leaders connect individuals to the purpose of their work and offer flexibility in how it’s done, those doing run at full pelt, and everyone benefits.
Science finds that by offering autonomy:
✅ People are more likely to share ideas
✅ Collaboration and teamwork thrive
✅ Motivation remains high
In contrast, controlling or micromanaging individuals leads to the opposite effect:
❌ Less cooperation
❌ More dissatisfaction
Even Amazon’s recent decision to require employees back in the office five days a week contradicts this research.
How’s that likely to go?
Not well, if autonomy is key to motivation.
👪 This doesn’t just apply to the workplace either.
Studies show that when children are raised by parents who provide autonomy rather than control…
The children are:
✅ Happier
✅ Less anxious
✅ More independent
I’ve experience of that too, and it also works.
The takeaway?
This is fundamental to human psychology.
Whether you’re leading a business or raising kids, giving people the freedom to own their work leads to better results.
💬 What’s your leadership style?
Do you empower your team or prefer a hands-on approach?
If you have challenges here, speak to me, or join one of TableNetwork's BrainSTORMs 🤯
