Directive or Supportive?
Now I know you may find this hard to believe given my strong views and aggressive style, but
I am a HUGE proponent of using Servant / Supportive Leadership as often as it makes sense. That is a large part of why I left People Management and went into Project Management.
The nice thing about Project Management is that I get to focus nearly exclusively on helping my customers and team members. Where as when I was in People Management I had to deal often with Directive Leaders and peers who were interested mostly in making themselves look good, controlling people, managing metrics / measures, etc.
Now there is a time for both Leadership and Parenting Styles. However if you do a good job of building up your team members, children, customers, etc, there should be less need for the Directive style.
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Now I am sure you have worked or dealt with both styles.
- The Supportive Leader thought about the big goals and how they could help the personnel, children or customers meet them. They focused on defining general expectations with the help of the stakeholders, coaching, training, answering questions, building relationships, delegating, staying out of the details, etc. They know that true power and capability comes from helping others succeed.
- The Directive Leader thought about the specific goals, defining them, measuring them, and punishing people who failed to attain them. The customer needs came second to the measures and the employees feared accountability and micro-management. People therefore worked to hide problems, sabotage other departments (ie siblings), etc. They believe they are smarter and more capable than everyone "below" them.
Now remember that this is not some Liberal Lovefest thing... A Supportive Leader can still have metrics, use measurements and fire people. They will do it for the good of the customers and team though. Not to assuage their ego.
Now I admit that I am human and can slip to the controlling, angry, demanding, micromanaging side at times. (especially in crisis moments) But I truly try to return to ASAP. :-) Thoughts?
