Exploring Leadership Styles
Session 1 Overview
This session explores the unique styles that guide individuals in their decision making
and action. Most people have a style that they rely on the majority of the time. However,
different situations present unique challenges and effective leaders are able to utilize the best
style for each situation. As an engineer you may find yourself working in teams and with
clients whose preferred styles are different from yours. Recognizing your own preferred style
and the preferred style of others you work with can help you make more intentional decisions
in collaborating on your capstone project and other engineering work.
When identifying a leader’s strengths and weaknesses, it is helpful to look at social styles.
A social style is the behavior that an individual exhibits when interacting with others and is
based on others’ impressions rather than self-impressions. Both leaders and followers have
dominant social styles that affect their behavior and preferences. Being aware of these styles,
and understanding how styles can interact in positive or negative ways, will promote
successful leadership.
There is no single best style of leadership to use at all times and in all situations. When
working in your project teams, with your engineering clients, and with other project
stakeholders it is important to consider which leadership style or combination of leadership
styles will maximize your success.
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Exploring Leadership Styles
Which Shape Are You?
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Exploring Leadership Styles
What’s Your Style?
Technical / “Bottom Liner”
Bold / “Mover & Shaker”
Orientation:
Orientation:
Need:
Need:
Time Focus:
Time Focus:
Growth Area:
Growth Area:
Contribution:
Contribution:
Shape:
Shape:
Sympathetic / “Negotiator”
Expressive / “Wild Card”
Orientation:
Orientation:
Need:
Need:
Time Focus:
Time Focus:
Growth Area:
Growth Area:
Contribution:
Contribution:
Shape:
Shape:
What insights did you gain about your own leadership style?
Are there situations when you would use a different style?
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