Leadership Styles

Introduction

Leadership is a crucial aspect of both policing and law enforcement administration. Current research in leadership styles includes, but is not limited to, situational, transformational and autocratic (traditional) styles. Differences in the contexts of action can affect which style works best at any given time. Ultimately, it is important to identify the needs of any given situation, the skills and qualities of the individual leader, and decide on the most appropriate leadership style accordingly. Combining the various possible approaches could create an ideal blend of capability and foresight that might be continuously evaluated for greater outcomes. However, not every leader will have the required traits for achieving success with every style of leadership. This paper will discuss the different styles of leadership and how they might apply in a law enforcement context.

Traditional Leadership

Traditional leadership style is a type of leadership style that is based on the idea of a hierarchical structure, with a clear leader at the top. It emphasizes the importance of rules, procedures, and processes and is based on the idea of having one leader who makes all the decisions. This style of leadership typically relies heavily on the use of authority, power, and control, and often involves a top-down approach to decision-making. It is most consistent with the idea of autocratic leadership, in which one leader gives an order and anticipates that it will be followed with utmost alacrity (De Cremer, 2006). There is no sense of give-and-take, no reliance on feedback from subordinates to facilitate the decision-making process, no democratic approach to problem-solving, and no questioning of the superior permitted. It is most commonly found today in military or law enforcement fields, wherein a clear hiearchy of command is both warranted (due to the nature of the field) and practical. At least such has been the case traditionally speaking (Charles et al., 2016). However, the traditional style of leadership is now being questioned more overtly in both military and law enforcement, particularly as reformers attempt to restructure traditional hierarchical models to make them more inclusive and less autocratic.

Situational Leadership

Situational Leadership style is a type of leadership approach that focuses on matching the leaders style to the developmental level of the team members. It involves adjusting the level of direction and support based on the situation, the followers ability and willingness to take on tasks, and the environment in which the team is operating. For that reason it is based on the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leading people, and that the leader must be flexible and adaptable in order to be effective. The leader must be able to assess the situation and the individual, and then adjust their approach accordingly. This style of leadership is often used in team settings, as it allows the leader to tailor their approach to the specific needs of the team and its members. It also encourages collaboration and communication, as the leader must be able to listen to and understand the needs of the team in order to be successful. Ultimately, this approach focuses on creating an environment that fosters both personal and professional growth for team members and encourages them to take responsibility for their actions and successes (Northouse, 2021).

As this type of leadership focuses on understanding the situation at handi.e., what are the objectives, who are the employees, and how do they work together?law enforcement agencies and administrators can use this style of leadership by identifying the needs of the department and the community, working with stakeholders to address problem areas, and employing a flexible approach to decision-making.

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership is a style of management that facilitates positive changes in individuals and communities by shifting the focus to strong values and goals. A transformational leader is someone who is inspirational, encourages creativity, provides guidance, and strives for continuous improvement. These qualities help uplift team members and foster an environment where they can grow professionally while simultaneously contributing to the collective success of the company. Such leaders serve as mentors who are respected and revered by their coworkers, allowing coworkers to build genuine trust in the leader. By inspiring enthusiasm among team members and encouraging growth, these leaders make organizations more engaged and productive than before.

Transformational leadership can be an invaluable tool for police officers, encouraging and motivating them to better understand their role in the community and develop strong relationships with the people they serve (Charles et al., 2016). With this type of leadership, police officers can build a greater sense of understanding within the community and foster positive employee morale. A great way to apply transformational leadership...…enforcement administration when a community issue has erupted calling into question the leadership and fitness of a local department.

Ethical

Like authentic leaders, ethical leaders are committed to values-based decision making and take responsibility for their decisions instead of simply trying to achieve profitability or other short-term goals. This lays the groundwork for positive relationships within a business since employees feel assured that their leader will be fair and just in their judgemet and will create an atmosphere without fear of retribution or manipulation (Northouse, 2021).

Conclusion

There are many styles of leadership, and new ones are evolving every day. Traditional styles of leadership tended to be autocratic in which a single leader made decisions in a highly hierarchical structure and followers fell into line. Today, leadership tends to be more nuanced. Situational, transactional, transformational, servant, authentic, and even spiritual leaders all have found their places in organizations. In law enforcement administration and policing, it may be that some aspect of each of these styles can be used for positive outcomes.

Summary

Leadership styles are persistent phenomena that can be studied to understand managerial decision-making, behavior and performance. Leadership is especially important in policing and law enforcement administration, as in any field or organization. Common styles include Traditional Leadership which is based on hierarchy and the authority of individual leader; it promotes stability, and decision-making, emphasizing unquestioning support from followers. It is most often seen in military or law enforcement environments due to the strict, hierarchical nature of such fields. Then there is Situational Leadership which emphasizes flexibility and seeks out adaptive changes depending on the context. Transactional Leadership emphasizes the idea that behaviors are guided by a rewards system, and this style is often seen in the idea of giving promotions to individuals who earn them (and has historical application in law enforcement, with officers being promoted up the ranks based on merit). Transformational Leadership involves inspiring employees towards growth and development. Charismatic Leadership focuses on the presence of an outstanding individual characterized by vision, communication and passion appeals. And there are also newer leadership approaches such as Servant Leadership, which focuses on helping others reach their potential, Spiritual Leadership with its emphasis on healing, development and team work; Authentic Leadership involving self-awareness for ethical decision-making; and Ethical/Values-Based leadership reflecting ethical standards and trust based on the promotion…