Leadership Style: Do You Need One?

It’s common for new leaders to spend a lot of time and effort trying to understand and define their “leadership style,” especially when stepping into their first management role. But is this focus really worth it?

As General David Petraeus said when I interviewed him on my podcast (listen here),

“Tell me what you want me to achieve, tell me the situation, tell me who I’m working with, and then I’ll tell you my leadership style.”

His point?

Leadership style isn’t something fixed. It should adapt to the situation, the goals, and the team. Instead of getting hung up on identifying a specific style, you should focus on something far more meaningful: your core values.

 

What Are Core Values?

Your core values are the things you care about most in life. They are intangible—things you can’t touch, but that guide your decisions and actions. I like to think of values as the principles that we, as individuals, stand for and would take a stand on. These values shape who we are as leaders and provide a foundation for how we lead.

 

 

Why Do Values Matter for Leaders?

Understanding your values is not easy, but it’s a critical part of becoming an effective leader. Here are three key reasons why identifying your values is worth the investment:

 

1. Values Guide Decision-Making in the Grey Areas

Leadership often requires making tough decisions where there is no clear right or wrong answer.

These decisions are rarely black and white. When you’re working in those grey areas, your values serve as a reliable guide that is far more effective than knowing your’leadership style’. Even in situations that challenge you morally, your values can act as a filter, ensuring that, at the end of the day, you can look in the mirror and be confident that you made the best decision possible.

 

2. Values Create Consistency

People want to work for a consistent leader, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a set leadership style.

When you’re clear on your values, you make it easier for your team to predict how you’ll show up and what kind of decisions you’re likely to make. Consistency builds trust, and trust is the bedrock of effective leadership. When you align your leadership tools, tactics, and models with your values, you ensure your actions are predictable, which gives your team the confidence to follow you.

 

3. Values Help You Lead a Balanced Life

Knowing your values doesn’t just guide your leadership; it can help you maintain balance in your life.

Every quarter, I review my set of core values and score myself out of five on each one. This simple exercise helps me identify areas where I might be falling short. Maybe I’ve been over-focused on work and haven’t invested enough time with family or friends. This process allows me to course-correct and make sure I’m living up to the things that matter most.

 

Start Your Journey with Core Values

Download the Core Values Toolkit for a step-by-step guide on identifying your values and running a powerful team session to deepen connections and enhance leadership through shared understanding.

Get the toolkit here.

 

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Until next time, look after yourself and those you have the privilege and responsibility to lead.

Your coach,