What Kind of Leader Are You?

Exploring nine leadership styles through self-reflection

Leadership is not one-size-fits-all. The way we guide others — and ourselves — is shaped by our values, experiences, and the unique demands of the moment. Eric Partaker’s (2025) 9 Styles of Leadership offers a useful way to think about the different ways leaders can operate.

Here is a snapshot of each style:

  1. Visionary — Paints a big-picture goal and inspires the team to pursue it.

  2. Democratic — Asks the team for input and values everyone’s ideas.

  3. Servant — Puts people first and helps them do their best work.

  4. Autocratic — Makes decisions quickly with little input from others.

  5. Coaching — Guides and develops people for long-term growth.

  6. Transformational — Pushes bold change and lifts the team to a new level.

  7. Transactional — Rewards results and holds people to clear goals.

  8. Laissez-Faire — Gives people freedom to lead their own work.

  9. Situational — Adapts style to meet the needs of the moment.

In the Kura Poutama – Poutama IQ Ascent Series, we see leadership as an evolving practice — one that shifts in rhythm with context, relationships, and kaupapa. Knowing your natural style can help you:

  • Recognise your strengths and how they serve your team or whānau

  • Identify areas where other styles might be useful

  • Adapt with intention when circumstances change

I know my own approach leans toward Situational Leadership — adapting my style depending on the kaupapa, the people, and the challenges at hand — underpinned by visionary, servant, coaching, and transformational leadership principles.

Reflection for Leaders

  • Which of these styles feels most like you right now?

  • Has it changed over time?

  • Are there styles you would like to grow into?

Reflecting on this can be a valuable step toward more conscious, kaupapa-aligned leadership.

Further Reading

Read the full 9 Styles of Leadership resource by Eric Partaker here.

References

Partaker, E. (2025). 9 styles of leadership. Eric Partaker. https://ericpartaker.com/resources

Image credit: Tahere, K. (2025). Used with permission.

Author: Megan Tahere. (2025).

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