Idea in Brief
The Debate
Which is the best style of leadership: empowering others or taking charge and pushing people to do great work?
The Answer
The authors’ research found that the answer is not either/or. Effective leaders—and teams—routinely shift from one mode to the other and back again, depending on the needs of the moment.
The Implications
Leaders should question the assumptions and beliefs that block them from alternating styles. They should analyze themselves and their teams and make all aware of whether they’re trapped in one power mode or the other. They should send clear signals about the mode expected in each situation and reinforce a bimodal approach with their own words and deeds.