How Would You Describe Your Management Style?

Several years ago, I wrote a blog, “What Is Your Management Style?” Interestingly, it has received over 200 views a month over the last four years. It is a question that I ask every executive I interview. So when others ask you that question, whether it’s a recruiter or a hiring manager, what do you say about yourself?

Let us examine ways you can describe it to others. We all carry around an image of ourselves that we believe is what people think we are as leaders and managers. Have you asked others lately how they view you as a leader? What adjectives describe your style? What would your boss say, and what would your staff say about your style?

Examples of style descriptions

Your management or leadership style can be shaped through training and experience, but people are born with certain inherent style qualities that are unique. Here are some recent examples of CIOs describing their style:

• “I am laid back, but engaging and a consensus builder.”
• “I can make decisions, but I empower my staff to make decisions on their own.”
• “My style is to be a cheerleader and tie back everything we do to patient care.”
• “Others may think of me as a bulldog, persistent, but I have a situational style that can mentor, bring people along, and be open.”
• “I view myself as an inspirational leader, who is capable, transparent, dependable and a straight shooter.”
• “I give credit, and believe in integrity, ethics, and developing a team to its fullest potential.”
• “I am extremely conscientious, tenacious, and quite successful building relationships and trust with constituents.”
• “I have been described as one of the nicest C-level executives, very approachable, very helpful.”
• “I am very focused on time management and am extremely organized and competitive.”
• Others consider me quiet, level-headed and collaborative.”
• “Others consider me an innovative, creative, push the envelope type of leader, who can be a turnaround agent and a team player.”

So start a list of adjectives that describe your style and work to include those in your 75-word elevator speech describing yourself to others. Ask friends, peers, and old bosses how they would describe you and your style. Be prepared to improve and seek out executive coaching to help improve style “bumps.” Your style and reputation as a leader follow you throughout your career, so be aware of your individual style and how it impacts others.