Leadership Styles to Explore as an Executive in 2025

Sticking to old-school leadership methods might not cut it anymore because workplaces are evolving. Employees now expect executives to be more understanding and flexible. They want to be led by professionals who aren’t afraid to connect and inspire their juniors.

Exploring different leadership styles can make you more effective if you’re in an executive role or aiming for one in 2025. Some styles will be better in certain situations, so you should learn to adapt based on your role.

Let’s break down some leadership styles to help you guide your team with confidence.

 

👉 Servant Leadership

Great leaders put employees first instead of just focusing on profits or efficiency. Servant leadership prioritizes workers and is the opposite of the traditional model. Instead of being at the top of the pyramid, you will put your team first in different ways.

For example, you can listen to your workers and consider their input when making decisions. You could also eliminate obstacles that make work harder instead of expecting employees to work around them.

Servant leadership may also include encouraging and supporting professional growth. It works because many modern workplaces are embracing remote and hybrid work. As a result, leaders need to trust and support their employees to create a culture of respect.

Adopting this leadership style will make it easier to run your team without micromanaging.

 

👉 Democratic Leadership

Every employee in your workplace needs to feel heard. They may prefer leaders who can involve them when making decisions, especially those that affect their workflow.

Democratic leadership allows you to give your workers a voice. When using it, you may do things such as:

• Hold open discussions before making big decisions
• Value different perspectives and ideas
• Create a culture where feedback is welcome
• Encourage employees to participate in solving problems
• Foster open communication

One reason democratic leadership is becoming more popular is the changes in workplace dynamics. Most companies now have many younger employees who prefer a say in how things work. Giving them more power makes them feel like active contributors instead of just workers following orders.

 

👉 Authentic Leadership

Social media has played a big part in how people embrace authenticity. Even in the workplace, employees want leaders who respect others and are true to their values. They also love executives who recognize they must earn respect and loyalty by leading with integrity.

To be an authentic leader, you need to show vulnerability and honesty. Your leadership may include the following:

• Being open with employees when the company is facing uncertainty
• Admitting your mistakes and learning from them
• Apologizing to your employees if you wrong them
• Encouraging accountability in the workplace
• Building trust and fostering transparency

Authentic leadership will allow your employees to see you as someone who genuinely cares about them. It also helps you earn long-term respect and builds more resilient teams.

 

👉 Charismatic Leadership

Have you noticed that most employees are drawn to executives who make them love their work more? Charismatic leadership requires you to use your personality to create a strong following. You must find ways to inspire your team and make them more enthusiastic about their work.

Here are some examples of how charismatic leadership may look in action:

• Using storytelling to inspire and connect with your employees
• Showing confidence and passion in your vision
• Making your employees feel valued
• Leading with energy and optimism, even during challenges
• Building strong personal relationships with your team

When you lead with charisma, your energy will be contagious. You may notice employees feeling happier and more passionate about their roles. They will derive a sense of purpose in their everyday duties, leading to better teamwork.

 

👉 Transformational Leadership

Do you want to drive innovation and make an impact in your workplace? Then, you should consider transformational leadership. You will focus on motivating your employees, sharing their vision, and pushing boundaries.

Besides, you’ll need to do more than manage your team and oversee their work. You must inspire them to think bigger by setting a clear and exciting vision. It’s also vital to encourage creativity and embrace new ideas.

Other ways you can become a transformational leader are:

• Leading with passion and enthusiasm
• Encouraging a culture of continuous learning
• Recognizing and celebrating achievements
• Providing mentorship and support

Transformational leadership is effective because most employees desire inspiration and connection. By embracing it, your team can feel like a part of the company’s bigger picture. They will share the brand’s goal and focus on improving their skill set to become better talent.

 

👉 Coaching Leadership

A coaching leader focuses on helping employees grow by doing things such as:

• Providing regular feedback and constructive guidance
• Encouraging employees to set good personal and professional goals
• Helping them develop new skills
• Supporting them through challenges
• Recognizing their effort and progress

If you adopt coaching as your leadership style, you’ll work with your employees rather than just ordering them. You can also help them find growth opportunities and fill their skills gaps. In the long run, you’ll realize benefits like higher employee retention and better work morale.

 

👉 Laissez-Faire Leadership

Laissez-faire leadership works best if you have a highly skilled and self-motivated team. Instead of micromanaging, you trust your workers and provide them with the best resources.

The leadership style is becoming more popular in 2025 because employees value flexibility. They want to work with leaders who can allow them to manage their work to support productivity.

Some key aspects of laissez-faire leadership include:

• Allowing your employees to make key decisions about their work
• Trusting your teams to manage projects with minimal oversight
• Offering support when needed without interfering too much
• Encouraging independence and self-motivation

With laissez-faire leadership, you’ll also let your employees learn by doing. You can guide them in identifying ways to do better when they make mistakes. Over time, they’ll become more skilled, confident, and able to make better decisions on their own.

 

Find the Best Leadership Style for Every Situation

Embracing different leadership styles will help you deliver results and build your team. Know when to be a coach, servant, or a democrat based on what your company needs.

Embrace charisma when your employees require motivation and trust them to manage their work. Be flexible and push your team to do better by providing the best resources and support.