March 29, 2022

By Stefanny Ramirez, Teams Management at Xtendo Global

With telecommuting, the workplace climate has changed. In many companies, the workload has increased, significantly affecting employees. This is reflected in a study by Mandomedio, which assessed how the current professional and emotional situation is perceived. Keep reading to learn more.

The study was conducted in various areas of the company, such as finance, sales, marketing, technology, operations, and human resources, among over 650 employees. The goal was to determine how employees evaluate the current working conditions after the coronavirus pandemic.

For 62% of respondents, their workload has increased, 15% said it decreased, and 23% mentioned that it remained the same as before switching to home office. These are undoubtedly revealing data that lead organizations not only to reconsider their strategies but also the way they are leading their teams.

Therefore, in this article, we will present the various leadership styles that should be developed in companies, especially those with a predominant young workforce. This approach requires the application of techniques that help maintain focus on the strategies being implemented. Join us.

What is leadership? Leadership is a set of skills that enables an individual to influence the behavior of a group of people to generate enthusiasm and achieve the goals of an organization. For many, it is a discipline because it involves managerial skills and communications that help reach goals within a company.

This definition has sparked a variety of concepts because it has generated a lot of enthusiasm within organizations. Given the constant changes companies have undergone, it is necessary not only to evaluate them but also to have a clear understanding of the leadership model that your company adheres to.

One important point to keep in mind is that leadership is built based on the company’s principles, and various leadership types can be practiced to achieve goals that will determine the company’s performance and control. The results will lead to improvements in productivity, employee motivation, and the organization’s overall reputation.

This is a way a company can differentiate itself from others. Think of each company having its own personality, appearance, and attributes. In that sense, it is necessary to know the leadership styles that make a brand work at its best. However, it is essential to first understand that there are characteristics that define the profile of a leader.

Characteristics of a leader Leaders play an important role as change agents within a company, but to achieve this, they must possess certain characteristics that help define objectives better. These are skills that may or may not be inherent in the individual but can be developed through training and area-specific knowledge.

To be a leader, you must have:

Strategic vision
Focus. This is the starting point for every leader. The more strategic vision they have, the higher the chances of influencing teams efficiently, thus achieving goals and productivity. It is also necessary to simplify processes and aim for targets within specific time frames.

Passion for what they do
A leader should be capable of leading their team based on solid principles. It’s rooted in love for the project and belief in the results that will come. They know the path, and so they add enthusiasm to achieve success. Additionally:

• They actively listen to employees and always have time for them.
• They attentively understand different situations.
• They motivate and inspire everyone to achieve goals.
• They make decisions based on the team’s views.
• They highlight the virtues of everyone.

Drive to achieve goals
A leader is someone who isn’t afraid to take risks and can face constant changes while avoiding confrontations. They also know how and to whom to delegate specific tasks according to the knowledge of team profiles.

An innate communicator
A leader knows not only how to express their ideas but also when to say them because their mission is to motivate and inspire enthusiasm. In other words, they can communicate both verbally and non-verbally. This is perhaps the most valuable trait, and one that many lack but need to develop.

Ability to recognize opportunities
They can solve problems without fear of mistakes because they can recognize opportunities behind those decisions. They also adapt to changes with ease and constantly communicate actions to their team.

The skills a leader possesses should be accompanied by great enthusiasm, enabling them to act on any challenges that come their way.

Leadership styles
Now that we know the importance of leadership, let’s explore the leadership styles that will lead a company to the desired success. Remember, it’s important that they are based on the principles and values of the organization to define them more precisely. These are:

Autocratic leadership
This is when a leader holds an absolute viewpoint over the workers. While employees can offer suggestions, many feel uncomfortable with this approach. In this leadership style, absenteeism and employee turnover tend to prevail. It is commonly used in unqualified companies, as controlling the situation may not overcome the disadvantages.

Bureaucratic leadership
Leaders following this style adhere strictly to concepts and foundational texts. They follow authors’ writings to the letter, believing it holds the solution to their problems. It is suitable in companies with security risks or high financial stakes.

Charismatic leadership
These leaders inspire enthusiasm and energize all processes within the company and employees. They need to have a high level of self-confidence to convey security to their teams and everyone around them. Companies depend so much on them that when they’re not present, the organization doesn’t achieve the same results.

Democratic leadership
These leaders invite others not only to be part of decisions but also to contribute to various processes, resulting in increased satisfaction and skill development within the team. This allows everyone to control their own destiny.

This style requires time, and it may take a long period to manage, but when established, results are positive.

Laissez-faire leadership
This French term means “let it be,” and refers to leaders who allow employees to work on their own. The key to success is constant monitoring of what they’re doing and establishing effective communication.

People-oriented leadership
These leaders are responsible for organizing, supporting, and developing teams. They are participative, promote empowerment, and encourage creative collaboration.

Natural leadership
Not formally recognized by the company, but it refers to individuals at any level who can meet the needs and satisfactions of a team. Many believe this style is an effective way of working, where values are increasingly significant.

Task-oriented leadership
These leaders focus only on the objectives they must achieve within the company. They assign roles to each employee based on planning, organization, and control of the entire process, not thinking about the well-being of individuals.

Transactional leadership
Here, team members agree to obey their leader’s directives and requests; in return, they dedicate full effort and commitment to the tasks requested.

Transformational leadership
This leadership style carries the most weight among theorists. It involves constantly inspiring teams with enthusiasm. For this, it’s crucial for leaders to feel supported by other employees to carry out their actions.

As you can see, there is a wide array of leadership styles that help define organizations. Success will depend on various elements, with the leader being a key piece in decision-making.

What do the leaders at Xtendo say? For Xtendo Global, it is valuable for all area leaders to feel both committed and secure about the steps they must face. For many, it has been a journey of continuous learning, but with the firm belief that they are learning to make decisions at the right moments. Let’s see what they say:

“Being a youthful leader allows you to empathize with situations that arise during task development, put yourself in others’ shoes, listen to the team, identify areas where a different vision can be provided, and be in a constant learning process,” says Francy Espinosa, Team Leader at CS.

“To be a leader, I believe you must develop soft skills, be capable of mentoring, motivating, and guiding each person on the team, and for them to recognize you as such. If you achieve this, regardless of your age, you will be a successful leader,” says Ana Núñez, Team Leader at CS.

“One of the most important things has been becoming more empathetic with people, knowing how to communicate ideas, and having the right way to express them to my team and other colleagues,” says Luis Rodríguez, Team Leader at PS.

“Being a leader means not only guiding or influencing the group of people in charge but also having the ability to enhance the talents of the group members. Therefore, it is important to create goals, challenges, and motivate continuous growth, accompanied by satisfaction with the task at hand,” says Johanna Ortiz, Team Leader at RS & DS Services.