Why Knowing Your Leadership Style Can Pay Off When Hiring
Personality and leadership style play a big role when looking to hire new contractors or employees. A mismatch can leave you irritated with your new hire, and lead to misunderstandings and wasted time. So before you choose that winning candidate, take a few moments to think about which traits compliment your unique leadership style.
What’s Your Style?
Authoritarian- You mobilize the team toward a common vision and focus on end goals, leaving the means up to each individual. You inspire an entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant enthusiasm for the mission. You do not feel comfortable with workers who perform tasks differently than you especially when under tight deadlines or in high stress situations.
Do Hire: Novice employees who take direction well and can understand the ultimate goals of their work.
Don’t Hire: Avoid more experienced candidates or experts who will most likely see your guidance as micro management.
Coercive- This style is much stricter than the authoritarian style. You demand compliance and adherence to rules and expectations. This style works well in times of crisis or with employees who need a lot of guidance. This style should be combined with a bit of nurturing and praise for employees as well.
Do Hire: Candidates willing to listen to a leader and do exactly as told.
Don’t Hire: Candidates insistent on their own way of doing things.
Hands-off- You expect employees to come to you with questions and figure out solutions on their own.
Do Hire: Candidates who are independent self-starters work best with you. Remember, you must be okay with letting them perform tasks the way it seems fit as long as they meet your end goals.
Don’t Hire: Candidates who need a lot of guidance and your time to either set up or keep momentum are probably not a good fit.
Coaching- You build on employee strengths and provide plenty of best practices.
Do Hire: Candidates interested in improving their skills and growing in their career.
Don’t Hire: Those who are not open to suggestions and stuck in their ways.
Democratic- You encourage a collaborative approach when working with your employees. For example, if an employee is learning a new process, you answer questions and provide advice and best practices. And you look for and solicit feedback.
Do Hire: Look for candidates who are good communicators, excited to contribute their ideas, but who still look to you for expert advice.
Don’t Hire: Avoid candidates who think they know it all or who are too timid to share their input.
Of course there are other leadership styles too but these should get you thinking about your unique management tendencies and which employee traits work best for you. The right new hire for your leadership style will not only contribute to a more collaborative team, but will also save you time and increase your success as a manager. For more information on these and other leadership styles, check out this article in Fast Company.
–Emily Bennett, Senior Engagement Manager, Team Red Dog
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