Leadership styles, company values, and the work culture they instil are crucial in fostering a positive and productive culture within any organisation.
These elements work together to build a productive, safe workforce, boosting productivity and employee retention.
But how is this achieved practically?
This article explores leadership styles, examining how they integrate with company values to nurture a productive organisation.
Understanding Leadership Styles
Leadership is not one-size-fits-all – it’s a spectrum of styles, each with its unique psychological basis. Of course, not all leadership styles suit all organisations or individuals.
Commonly discussed styles include:
Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership revolves around the leader’s genuineness and transparency. Leaders who embrace this style strive to be self-aware, ethical and trustworthy.
They prioritise building integrity within their teams and ensure their actions align with their values and beliefs. This fosters a culture of trust and open communication in the organisation.
Transactional Leadership
Transactional leadership, a more traditional form of leadership, is centred around clear structures, rules, and rewards. Leaders set specific goals and provide explicit instructions.
Compliance and achievement are often rewarded, while failure to meet set standards results in corrective actions. This style is particularly effective in structured environments where tasks are clear-cut, and outcomes are easily measured. It’s a common form of leadership in construction, manufacturing, retail, etc., but it is being slowly replaced by more collaborative or flatter leadership structures.
Still, transactional leadership suits large organisations with lots of levels.
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is characterised by inspiring and motivating employees to go beyond self-interests. It’s ideal for charismatic, natural leaders, as is common in the technology sector – think of the likes of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
They encourage their team members to think creatively, challenge the status quo, and contribute to the organisation’s larger vision.
Inclusive Leadership
Inclusive leadership focuses on creating a diverse and welcoming work environment where different perspectives and backgrounds are valued. It’s a friendlier, flatter form of leadership – meaning there’s less hierarchy between employees at different levels.
Inclusive leaders are committed to ensuring that every team member feels respected and included, recognising that diversity is a strength.
Agile Leadership
Agile leadership emphasises adaptability and responsiveness in a rapidly changing business environment.
Agile leaders are flexible and open to change, focusing on collaborative processes and team empowerment. This is ideal for fast-moving industries and smaller startups.
Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture
Good company values are the bedrock of an organisation’s identity and influence its culture.
Effective leaders adapt their style to align with their organisation’s values and the needs of their employees. Values such as integrity, respect, and innovation shape how a company interacts with its stakeholders.
A positive culture is not only about employee satisfaction – it’s about creating an environment where safety, well-being, and productivity thrive. This involves:
- Integrating Safety Culture: Safety culture, particularly relevant in construction, manufacturing, and similar high-risk industries, places a high level of importance on safety beliefs, values and attitudes. Leaders should incorporate safety into every aspect of the organisation, reinforcing the importance of safety in daily operations.
- Encouraging Open Communication: Leadership should foster an environment where feedback and ideas flow freely.
- Promoting Continuous Learning: A culture that values learning and development leads to a more competent and adaptable workforce. Leaders should encourage continuous professional development.
- Recognising and Rewarding Contributions: Acknowledging employees’ hard work and achievements boost morale and motivation. This, of course, involves fair pay, compensation and benefits.
- Building a Supportive Environment: A supportive work environment helps employees feel valued and empowered. This includes providing resources, guidance, and encouragement.
Final Thoughts
Leadership styles and company values are paramount in shaping an organisation’s culture.
Leadership, company cultures and company culture are interlinked, and improving one tends to benefit others in a virtuous cycle.
By understanding and effectively applying different leadership styles, leaders can create a culture that is not only productive but also safe, healthy, and fulfilling for everyone involved.
HCS Safety offers IOSH courses in Leading Safely and Managing Safely and a range of other courses in management and related aspects.
