Here's how you can tailor your leadership style to various situations and individuals.

In my experience, any management team that allows each person to develop and hone the skills they naturally are interested in, not only has a happier team but also are more efficient and have less turn-over. It is important to realize, especially in 2024, that we have a large population that are neurodiverse. Though these individuals may request certain accommodations, such as an email instead of verbal requests, they are highly likely to have specialized interests in which they can grow and blossom if given the correct tools. Not only does this allow for greater inclusion, but also the increases the development of those skills that neurotypical individuals may not be interested in.

The ability to alter your management and leadership style is imperative in order to effectively communicate with the different personalities that may be included in your team. For some individuals, they desire to be motivated and inspired, perhaps constantly given new tasks; For others, they need a more direct form of leadership and feasibly, would prefer the same tasks each day. Keeping in mind that some members of your team are going to desire the freedom to carry out their assigned duties without direct oversight, while some would appreciate a more hands-on approach, helps one to become an effective and respected leader.

Understanding that everyone's learning style is not the same and, therefore, your communication style should not be the same, is imperative when executing effective leadership. For instance, an individual like myself would prefer context and justification for why I am being asked to carry out a specific task. This not only helps me put to memory the assigned task, but also helps provide a broader scope of understanding so that I may effectively communicate with others any details surrounding said task. For some individuals, learning the reasoning behind the task is mundane and a waste of time. They simply want concise directions and the time to carry them out. Tailoring communication between your team is one way to create trust & respect.

In my experience I have found that administering a brief personality test in the onboarding process is a very effective way to understand how to best communicate with that individual. Do they prefer written instructions? Do they work best alone or in a team? Does public recognition make them feel appreciated or embarrassed? Knowing these types of personality traits amongst your team members can truly help you in understanding how to effectively communicate with each individual.

Creating a team is no easy feat, as any person in a leadership role will tell you. However, providing an environment where each individual feels heard and valued is a perfect start! Sharing problems, achievements, and innovative ideas are just a few ways that you as a leader can strengthen the bonds between yourself and the team. Each time you and your team are able to work together to solve a problem, studies show that dopamine is released and a positive neural feedback loop has begun.