Leadership is ancient and continuously evolving. Many styles have come and gone as you often see resources committed to teaching the best styles. However, after all of this time, there is still ambiguity as to which is the best one. The answer is obvious, yet often overlooked or unrealized. The best leadership style is to have no style.
I recall a few scenarios where a commitment to specific style has backfired. A friend of mine is a leader in the entertainment industry; he shared a situation where he could not connect with a new hire. He stated emphatically that he was not a micromanager and this new hire should really appreciate having the freedom to execute their job as they see fit. After extensive conversations, it appears that the new hire needed a form of micromanagement in order to be most effective. They needed steady, regular interaction with precise direction in order to execute the task at hand. My friend pivoted their leadership style for that specific new hire, and the working relationship along with productivity increased.
In another situation, an acquaintance in the restaurant industry had a similar issue connecting with their employees except she was the new hire and entered an already established dynamic. This person was a problem solver, energetic, always willing to lend a helping hand. However, the approach needed for this specific team was one more of empathy, a listening ear, and empowering employees to problem solve rather than an attitude of see a problem, fix a problem.
The solution presented in the second scenario holds the true answer. The problem was not fixed by changing a style; rather utilizing proper leadership competencies. Harvard Business Review (HBR) released an article addressing leadership competencies as a result of a 195 person survey they conducted (pictured below).
The summary findinds from HBR are perfectly phrased, here is an excerpt:
Taken together, these attributes are all about creating a safe and trusting environment. A leader with high ethical standards conveys a commitment to fairness, instilling confidence that both they and their employees will honor the rules of the game. Similarly, when leaders clearly communicate their expectations, they avoid blindsiding people and ensure that everyone is on the same page. In a safe environment employees can relax, invoking the brain’s higher capacity for social engagement, innovation, creativity, and ambition.
With my experience and those who I frequently dialogue with, it is agreed that the combination of styles and knowing when to use them, will yield the best leadership. You have to be dynamic and accountable, while always rooted in proper leadership competencies such as empathy. It's not an absence of skills, but having a mastery of different techniques and approaches for what may come your way.