“What is your leadership philosophy?” is one of those predictable questions in job interviews for leadership positions.
There is usually a good reason for interviewers to ask such questions, regardless of how boring they sound.
But you don’t need a job interview to know the answer to this question. If you cannot shoot it out quickly and briefly, you may be in misalignment with your goals and that’s why your business and teamwork problems occur.
In this article, we will explore what is leadership philosophy, how to refine yours, and how to create a personal leadership system that produces a happy result-oriented workplace.
What is a Leadership Philosophy?
A leadership philosophy is a set of guiding principles that a leader uses to govern their actions and decisions. It serves as a framework for how a leader approaches their work and interacts with others, and it shapes their behavior and management style.
A leadership philosophy can include a wide range of ideas and values, such as the importance of teamwork, honesty, transparency, accountability, innovation, diversity, and continuous learning. It may also reflect a leader’s personal beliefs and values, such as their commitment to social responsibility or sustainability.
Developing a leadership philosophy can be a helpful exercise for leaders at all levels, as it allows them to:
- Clarify goals and priorities
- Communicate team vision and expectations
- Become more self-aware
- Make conscious and values-driven decisions
Watch the video to learn what mindset shift is important for you as a leader:
An Example of Leadership Philosophy in Practice
Here is an example of how an effective leadership philosophy might be put into practice:
Imagine you are a manager at a software company that has developed a leadership philosophy focused on empowering and coaching team members. Giving your team the support and resources they need to grow and succeed for you is the cornerstone of a more collaborative and innovative work environment.
What would it take to put this philosophy into practice?
- Regularly hold meetings with team members to discuss goals and aspirations
- Provide feedback and guidance on performance
- Actively listen to your team’s ideas and concerns
- Encourage open communication and collaboration
- Create a positive and inclusive team culture
- Promote teamwork
- Recognize the contributions of each team member
- Share information and resources with your team
- Encourage taking on new challenges and responsibilities
This example of leadership philosophy is centered on empowering your team and creating a supportive and growth-oriented work environment, as well as consistently demonstrating this philosophy in your day-to-day actions
Is There a Best Leadership Philosophy?
There is no one “best” leadership philosophy that will work for all leaders in all situations. The most effective leadership philosophy for a leader will depend on their personal values, goals, and the needs of their team and organization.
Certain leadership philosophies tend to be more effective in general, as they are based on principles that are widely recognized as important for effective leadership.
Servant Leadership
This philosophy emphasizes the leader’s role in serving the needs of their team and putting the well-being of others before their own interests. Servant leaders focus on building relationships, empowering their team members, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
Transformational Leadership
This philosophy involves inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential and to bring about positive change. Transformational leaders are proactive, visionary, and empowering, and they seek to inspire and empower their team to achieve collective goals.
Authentic Leadership
This philosophy emphasizes the importance of being genuine, transparent, and self-aware as a leader. Authentic leaders are open, honest, and accountable, and they strive to build trust and credibility with their team by being true to themselves and their values.
The best leadership philosophy for a particular leader will be one that aligns with their personal values and goals, and that enables them to effectively lead and inspire their team to achieve success.
What is Your Leadership Philosophy? The Interviewee Checklist
Here are a few tips for crafting an effective response in advance of a job interview:
- Keep it short. Your answer should be concise and to the point. Aim for about 1-2 minutes, or about 3-4 sentences (one paragraph).
- Share your values. Your leadership philosophy should be grounded in your personal values and beliefs. Think about what is most important to you as a leader, and how you can convey those values in your answer.
- Explain your approach. In addition to your values, it is also helpful to describe your leadership approach. For example, do you prefer to be hands-on or more hands-off? Do you value collaboration or individual accountability?
- Give an example. To make your answer more concrete, consider using specific examples to illustrate your leadership philosophy. This could include a story about a time when you demonstrated a particular leadership quality, or an example of how you put your philosophy into practice.
Discover Your Personal Leadership Philosophy
There are a few steps you can take to help you decide on your personal leadership philosophy:
1. Reflect on your values.
What are your personal values and beliefs? What is most important to you as a leader? Your leadership philosophy should be grounded in your values and beliefs, so start by identifying what those are.
2. Consider your goals.
What do you hope to achieve as a leader? What are your long-term goals for your team or organization? Your leadership philosophy should be aligned with your goals and help you to achieve them.
3. Look at role models.
Who are the leaders that you admire and respect? What about their leadership style resonates with you? Identifying role models and the qualities that you admire in them can help you to identify the leadership principles that are important to you.
4. Seek feedback.
Ask your team members and colleagues for feedback on your leadership style. What are your strengths as a leader? What areas could you improve in? Receiving feedback from others can provide valuable insights into your leadership approach.
5. Experiment.
As you gain experience as a leader, try out different leadership styles and approaches, and reflect on what works well for you and your team. This will help you to identify the leadership principles that are most effective for you and that align with your values and goals.
Developing your personal leadership philosophy is an ongoing process.
If you want to develop a self-managing digital leadership system that changes and evolves as you gain experience and grow as a leader, and help your team achieve their best work there is a roadmap you can download for free below:
self managing business roadmap
Here are five of the most prominent management philosophies:
1. Scientific Management
Developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor, focuses on optimizing work processes and improving efficiency through detailed analysis and planning.
2. Human Relations Approach
Popularized by Elton Mayo, emphasizes the importance of considering the social and psychological aspects of work and treating employees as individuals with unique needs and motivations.
3. Contingency Management
Acknowledges that different situations may require different approaches, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing people and organizations.
4. Total Quality Management (TQM)
Originated in Japan, focuses on continuous improvement and the involvement of all employees in the quest for quality.
5. Transformational Leadership
Emphasizes the importance of inspiring and empowering followers to achieve a shared vision and to reach their full potential. It is often associated with charismatic leaders who are able to motivate and engage others.
Here are 7 steps to help you write your leadership philosophy:
- Reflection: Think about past leadership experiences you have had, both positive and negative. What made those experiences memorable? What did you learn from them?
- Values: Write down the values that are important to you as a leader, such as honesty, integrity, respect, and accountability.
- Mission: Consider what you want to achieve as a leader and what kind of impact you want to make. Write down your mission statement in a clear and concise way.
- Leadership style: Describe how you prefer to lead and the methods you use to motivate and inspire others.
- Team inclusion: Think about the needs of the people you lead and how you can support them to achieve their goals.
- Writing: Organize your thoughts and ideas into a clear and concise document that defines your leadership philosophy.
- Refinement: Read your leadership philosophy and make any necessary revisions to ensure it accurately reflects your beliefs and values.
Your leadership philosophy should be a living document that evolves as you grow and develop as a leader.
The most popular and widely recognized leadership quotes are those that emphasize the importance of humility, selflessness, and the ability to inspire and empower others.
- “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
- “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” – Arnold H. Glasow
- “The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants and associates smarter than they are.” – John C. Maxwell
You can choose the one that resonates with you the most and aligns with your leadership philosophy.
