What are leadership styles, and how to find your leadership type

The ability to lead effectively is as vital in hospitality as it is in any other industry. With hotel managers earning in excess of $118,000 per year, it’s worth seeing how you can improve your leadership skills and set yourself on the road to success. Whether you want to manage a bustling hotel, a trendy restaurant or a luxurious resort, understanding your style as a leader can significantly impact your team’s performance and your guests’ experiences. But what exactly are these leadership styles and how do you discover which one best aligns with your personality and professional goals?

In this article, we examine different leadership styles in the hospitality industry and offer practical tips to help you identify and develop your unique type. From the charismatic to the democratic, these styles vary greatly and understanding them will improve your ability to lead and build a thriving, customer-centric environment.

The importance of recognizing different leadership styles

Different management types can significantly influence team morale and productivity. For example, an authoritative leader might excel in high-pressure situations, while a democratic manager can boost creativity and collaboration. Effective management also directly impacts guest satisfaction. Leaders who adapt their style to meet the needs of staff and guests can develop a service-oriented culture that exceeds expectations, leading to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business. Recognizing different styles also aids in professional development. Leaders who understand different types of management can improve overall performance and retention by providing clear career growth paths.

The fast-paced nature of hospitality demands flexible leaders who can adapt to changing circumstances and ensure their teams remain resilient and maintain high service standards, even during crises. In short, recognizing different leadership styles is essential for creating a motivated team and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Common leadership styles

Management comes in many different shapes and sizes, each with its own unique approach to decision-making, team engagement and performance. Below, we explore and explain key leadership styles, highlighting their pros and cons to help you identify the best fit for your team and organizational goals.

Autocratic

Leaders making decisions unilaterally, without much input from team members. This style is highly directive, with clear expectations and strict controls. The advantages include fast decision making and clear direction, which can be beneficial in crisis situations or when quick action is required. However, it can limit creativity and reduce team morale, as employees may feel undervalued and disengaged.

Democratic

Also known as participative leadership, this approach encourages input and collaboration from team members in decision-making processes. The advantages here include higher employee satisfaction and increased innovation, as team members feel valued and motivated to contribute. The cons can be slower decision-making and potential conflicts, as reaching a consensus can be time-consuming and challenging.

Laissez-faire

Taken from the French term for letting things happen without interference, it gives team members significant autonomy and involves minimal supervision. Leaders provide the necessary resources and support but allow employees to set their own goals and solve problems independently. The positives include high employee creativity and independence, which helps to build a strong sense of ownership. However, the negatives include a lack of direction and potential disorganization, leading to inconsistent performance and unmet objectives.

Transformational

These leaders inspire and motivate their team by creating a shared vision and encouraging personal and professional growth. Advantages include high levels of employee engagement, innovation and loyalty, as team members feel inspired to exceed expectations. The cons can be the potential for burnout, as the high-energy environment may demand more than some employees can sustain.

Transactional

This is based on a system of rewards and punishments to manage team performance. Leaders set clear goals and provide immediate feedback based on performance. The positives include clear expectations and efficient performance management, making it effective in achieving short-term goals. However, the drawbacks include limited innovation and creativity, as the focus on rewards and punishments may discourage employees from taking risks.

Servant

For this approach, leaders prioritize the needs of their team above their own, focusing on personal development and wellbeing. The advantages include high levels of trust, strong team cohesion and increased employee satisfaction, as leaders are seen as supportive and empathetic. The drawbacks can include slower decision-making and potential challenges in maintaining authority, as the leader’s focus on service may be perceived as a lack of assertiveness.

Coaching

Focusing on the development and growth of team members through guidance and feedback. The upsides include improved employee skills, increased motivation and improved performance, as team members receive personalized development. The downsides include the time and effort required to provide consistent coaching, which may not be feasible in fast-paced environments.

Visionary

These leaders are characterized by their ability to articulate a compelling and inspiring strategy of the future. They motivate their team by providing a clear sense of direction, purpose and encouragement. This approach can create high levels of motivation and alignment with organizational goals, as employees are inspired by a clear vision. However, it can lead to potential disconnection from day-to-day operations and challenges in maintaining momentum if the vision is not continuously communicated and reinforced.

Bureaucratic

This type of leader relies on established procedures and policies to manage their team, making the approach highly structured and rule based. Its advantages include consistency, reliability and clear expectations, making it effective in highly regulated or complex environments. However, it cam limit flexibility, innovation and employee autonomy, which can lead to frustration and reduced morale.

How to discover and develop your personal leadership style

Finding the right fit is important if you want to become an effective leader in the hospitality industry. It requires a combination of self-assessment, seeking feedback and continuous learning. Let’s explore various techniques and tools to help you identify and improve your unique way of leading.

Self-assessment techniques and tools

Start by using personality tests, quizzes and reflection exercises. Instruments such as the Myers-Briggs type indicator and the Leadership Practices Inventory can provide valuable insights into your natural tendencies, strengths and areas for improvement. Regular self-reflection and journaling can also help you recognize patterns in your behavior and decision-making processes. You should also become more familiar with different leadership styles, including hybrid types.

Feedback mechanisms

Seeking constructive criticism from others helps you gain a well-rounded understanding of your leadership style. Peer reviews offer perspectives on how your colleagues perceive your approach, highlighting strengths and areas needing improvement. Mentorship provides guidance and advice from more experienced leaders who can share their experiences and offer constructive criticism. Working with a professional coach can help you set goals, develop action plans and provide ongoing support and accountability.

Continuous learning

Developing your leadership style doesn’t end once you have settled on a single type. Staying open to learning is essential if you are to adapt to new challenges and improve your effectiveness as a leader. Engage in ongoing education through courses, workshops and seminars. Reading books and articles on leadership theories and practices can also provide fresh insights and inspiration. Staying informed about industry trends and best practices will help you remain relevant and improve your skills. By committing to lifelong learning and advanced courses, you ensure your style as a leader evolves and grows, enabling you to lead with confidence and competence in the hospitality industry.

Identify key traits and practices

Think about leaders you have worked with and pick out their characteristics you found effective and inspiring. These might include communication skills, decision-making processes, ways of handling conflict or methods of providing feedback and recognition. Compile a list of these traits to serve as a foundation for developing your own leadership style. By thoughtfully analyzing the styles you’ve encountered, you can gain a deeper understanding of what makes an effective leader in various contexts.

Challenges in leadership: overcoming common pitfalls

Practicing effective management in the hospitality industry comes with its own set of challenges. Managers must navigate a complex environment, balancing the needs of their team and guests as well as organizational goals. It is important to be aware of these common dangers and how to overcome them. For example:

• Micromanagement: where leaders excessively control and monitor their team’s work. This can stifle creativity, reduce morale and create a sense of mistrust. To combat this, leaders should focus on delegating tasks, empowering their team to take ownership and trusting them to deliver results. Regular check-ins can ensure expectations are met without the need for constant oversight
• Lack of adaptability: leaders who are rigid in their approach may struggle to keep up with evolving guest expectations and industry trends in the kind of fast-paced, ever-changing environment that characterizes hospitality. To handle this, managers should develop a mindset of continuous improvement and flexibility. Staying informed about industry developments and being open to new ideas and feedback can help
• Poor communication: many leaders struggle with communicating effectively, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts and reduced team cohesion. To improve, leaders can practice active listening, ensure clarity in their messages and promote an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns
• Failure to recognize and reward: employees in the hospitality industry work hard to deliver exceptional service. When their efforts go unrecognized, it can lead to disengagement and high staff turnover. Leaders should prioritize rewarding their team’s hard work through formal recognition programs, regular verbal appreciation or incentives
• Resistance to feedback: managers who try to avoid receiving critiques miss out on opportunities to develop their skills and address blind spots. Embracing a culture where leaders actively seek input from their team and peers can lead to more effective leadership practices and a more cohesive team
• Overemphasis on short-term goals: focusing solely on immediate results can lead to burnout and short-sighted decisions. By setting clear, achievable, long-term goals that align with the organization’s broader mission, leaders can maintain motivation and drive sustainable success
• Inadequate emotional intelligence: leaders in the hospitality industry must navigate diverse personalities and high-stress situations. Developing emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, empathy and effective stress management. Leaders can strengthen these soft skills through training, self-reflection and mindfulness practices

Conclusion

Understanding and using different leadership styles is essential for success in the hospitality industry. Each has unique advantages and challenges and the effectiveness of a leader often depends on their ability to adapt their approach to fit the situation and team dynamics. By exploring various styles and assessing your own tendencies through self-assessment tools and feedback mechanisms, you can identify and develop a leadership style that aligns with your strengths and the organization’s goals.

Continuous learning and adaptability are key to refining your leadership approach. By embracing a mindset of growth and flexibility, seeking regular feedback and committing to ongoing education, you can overcome common challenges and avoid pitfalls such as micromanagement, poor communication and resistance to change. Ultimately, the most effective managers understand their unique leadership style, continuously strive for improvement and inspire their teams to achieve excellence.

If you want to learn how to become an exceptional leader and inspire your staff, a hospitality degree from a renowned school such as Les Roches can give you the ideal foundation to succeed.

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