The Situational Leadership Model indicates that to effectively lead, you need to be ready to employ different styles with different people. The skill set of the group you are leading is often harder to change on your own, and is something that you’ll need to gauge before you assign tasks. Willingness, on the other hand, is something that you can take action to inspire.
After all, leadership isn’t simply about getting a list of things done, but it’s also about the relational aspect of working with other people. Often times, it can be the small things that count – remembering someone’s specific hobbies, asking a teammate out to coffee, and offering a listening ear during a tough day. By empathizing with your group, you can build a sense of trust that gives them confidence to move forward. There is a high price of aloof leadership, so even as you move forward with the team’s priorities, don’t forget to focus on the people!