This post was coauthored by author and speaker, Paul B. Thornton.

A key goal of effective leadership is to try to improve the status quo in an effort to help individuals, teams, and organizations perform at a higher level.

There are 4 main types of leaders (see Thornton, 2023; Hunter & Lovelace, 2022), and understanding these can provide a framework for leaders to develop and grow. Each of these types uses a specific approach to influence and inspire people to make positive changes. It is important to note that these frameworks can also be used by organizational members who are not in designated leadership positions. In other words, leading and using influence can be done by any team member.

These leaders introduce ideas that help followers see problems and opportunities in new ways. Oliver Wendell Holmes, a 19th-century American poet, made an important point when he said, “The human........

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