Leadership Toolbox

What is Leadership Toolbox?

Leadership Toolbox is a practical series designed to help student leaders build skills they can use right away. Explore topics including communication, organization, collaboration, goal setting, motivation, relationship building and more.

Greg Wilkins:

Welcome to the Student Activities Online Leadership Toolbox. Today on Inspired Leadership, I will be talking about finding your strength through your leadership style. Start by exploring how you lead. Every leader approaches situations differently and understanding your style is key to improving how you guide others. To begin this process, examine the work of Kurt Lewin, a psychologist who studied leadership and identified different leadership styles.

Greg Wilkins:

Now review the three primary leadership styles. First, consider authoritarian leadership. In this style, leaders define expectations clearly. They set direction, make decisions independently, and control how tasks are completed. This approach can be effective when time is limited or when strong direction is needed, but it can also limit creativity and reduce group input.

Greg Wilkins:

Next, examine participative leadership. In this style, leaders guide the group while encouraging input and collaboration. They involve others in the decision making process and create space for ideas to develop. This approach often leads to higher quality outcomes, stronger engagement, and increased motivation. Now consider delegative leadership.

Greg Wilkins:

In this style, leaders step back and allow group members to take responsibility. They provide minimal direction and give others the freedom to make decisions. While this can work when team members are highly skilled, it can also lead to confusion, lack of structure, and reduced productivity if not managed carefully. Now compare these styles. Each produces different outcomes.

Greg Wilkins:

Some increase productivity while others improve creativity and engagement. As a leader, your goal is not to rely on one style, but to understand when and how to apply each one effectively. Now reflect on your own leadership approach. Identify how you typically lead. Do you take control of tasks?

Greg Wilkins:

Do you involve others in directions? Or do you step back and allow others to lead? Now take action. Begin to adjust your approach. If you tend to take on too much responsibility, share tasks with others.

Greg Wilkins:

If you lead discussions often, invite others to contribute. If you manage every detail, step back and allow others to take ownership. Encourage participation. Involve your team. Create opportunities for others to lead.

Greg Wilkins:

When individuals take on responsibility, they build confidence, develop skills, and feel more connected to the group. Now apply what you have learned. Use your leadership style intentionally. Adapt your approach based on the situation, the team, and the goals you are trying to achieve. As you continue to lead, refine your style, observe how your group responds, Adjust when needed.

Greg Wilkins:

Strengthen your ability to guide, support, and empower others. And that's it. Let's review what was represented. We explored Kurt Lewin's leadership styles, encouraged different approaches to leadership, and discussed how to apply these styles to strengthen your team. Remember to stay intentional.

Greg Wilkins:

When you understand your strengths and adapt your leadership style, you create more effective and dynamic groups. This podcast was presented by Student Activities at Minnesota State University Mankato. Thank you for participating. You can find other podcasts at mnsu.edu/activities/toolbox.