What Color is Your Parachute?
Introduction
‘LEADERSHIP: THEORY AND PRACTICE,’ by Peter G. Northouse is a comprehensive resource and reference for the topic of leadership. This book provides the leadership theories along with real-life cases that provides examples to the leadership theories or style presented. In addition, questionnaires are also included with the cases studies to stimulate discussion and deepened understandings. It is hailed by many as a resourceful and practical instrument in the field of leadership study. Amazon, it “presents an academically robust account of the major theories and models of leadership with a focus on how theory can inform practice.” [1] ResearchGate.Net, this current edition is used in more than one thousand colleges and universities around the world.[2]
Leadership Style
Northouse expands on these following styles or characteristics of leadership: (1.) transformational leadership, (2.) authentic leadership, (3.) servant leadership, (4.) adaptive leadership, and (5.) inclusive leadership.
Basically, the naming explains these types of leadership. A summary describes them as follows:
- “Transformational leadership is about changing people for the better, not just meeting goals.
- Authentic leadership derives from the transparency of the leader.
- Servant Leadership prioritize the best interest of the followers.
- Adaptive leadership is about helping followers respond to changing environment
- and Inclusive leadership prioritize belonging and uniqueness of followers.” [3]
While these are the types of leadership that is popularized by Northouse, there may be others out there. For example, Havard Business Review also highlighted six types of leaderships – which are coercive leadership, authoritative leadership, pacesetting leadership, affiliative leadership, democratic leadership, and coaching leadership.[4]
So, if there are several types of leadership, would it be possible to get the best out of each type and form a preferred one?
If Leadership is a Parachute: What color is yours?
According to Northouse, “leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” [5] It is fundamentally about achieving meaningful relationships, and at the same time achieving the objectives. The leaders who are effective focus on both, developing a positive and supportive team chemistry and their objectives.
The leader’s style of leadership is mostly based on these 4 key factors: (a.) The led (or the team/followers), (b.) the leader, (c.) the situation (or the scenario), and (d.) the communication (the line of communication among leader and teams or team member to team member). [6]
What does this mean for me as a leader? What leadership style fits me? The answer may be relative to each individual. However, the following lists of questions may assists in determining which style is preferred. Following are the questions:
- “what do I vale more – goals or relationships?
- Do I believe in structure or freedom of choice?
- Would I rather make a decision on my own, or collectively?
- Do I focus on short or long-term goals?
- Does motivation come from empowerment or direction?
- and What does a healthy dynamic look like to me?[7]
To close, I find it essential to know and understand what style of leadership fits my situation. And what is the color of yours?
[1] Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Practice-Peter-G-Northouse/dp. Accessed December 5, 2024.
[2] Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343452842_Leadership_Theory_and_Practice_by_Peter_G_Northouse_A_Book_Review. Accessed December 5, 2024.
[3] Norman, Nina. Summary: Leadership: Theory and Practice by Peter G. Northouse. https://paminy.com/book-summary-leadership-theory-practice/. Accessed December 5, 2024.
[4] Knight, Rebecca. 6 Common Leadership Styles – and How to Decide Which to Use When. https://hbr.org/2024/04/6-common-leadership-styles-and-how-to-decide-which-to-use-when. Accessed December 5, 2024.
[5] Northouse, Peter G.. Leadership: Theory and Practice (pg. 46). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.
[6] Usmani, Fahad. Mastering the 7 Leadership Styles for Success in Any Situation. https://pmstudycircle.com/leadership-styles/. Accessed December 5, 2024.
[7] Indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/10-common-leadership-styles. Accessed December 5, 2024.
About the Author
Noel Liemam
6 responses to “What Color is Your Parachute?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hi Noel,
Thank you for your post. If you were asked to give a workshop on leadership, which style/styles of leadership would you present?
Hi, Sheila, thank you for comment. I tend to think that maybe we can create an hybrid of the leadership styles; maybe we can get the best from them all and mold them into one. When I mentioned the best, l am referring to which that best fit your leadership context. But from reading the leadership styles, if I ever have to create an hybrid, it will revolve around the servant leadership styles. Than you again for you comments!
Hi Noel,
Thank you for your post. As you were reading this week and reflecting about the color of your parachute, I wonder how have you noticed your leadership change over recent years? Are there certain leadership behaviors that you have let go or others that you have begun to practice?
Hello, Julie, thank you for your comment. And yes, my concept of leadership definitely has evolved. In my younger years, my leadership style was always based on ‘feasibility’(influenced by engineering management), then to ‘management processes’ and now ‘more focused on people as the most important aspect. Not to discount the importance of ‘feasibility’ and management processes, but to highlight the importance of people.
Currently, I tend to think that a leadership style will definitely depend on the context of your leadership or where, and whom are you leading. Thanks again, Julie.
Hi Noel! Great post, as you captured the essence of Northouse’s work. As you reflect on your leadership journey, what two leadership styles best characterize you?
Hi, Daren, thank you for your comment. It is more of what type of leadership style that I would like to see part of leadership style. First of, I tend to think that leadership styles will depend on the context of one’s leadership like where he/she is leading and the people that are being led.
Back to your question, I would like servant and authentic leadership to be part of my leadership styles. Thank you again, Daren!