Leading in the workplace is never as easy as it sounds. There are deadlines to meet, people to manage and mentor, and budgets to consider. In light of these important responsibilities, it’s important to understand your business management style and how it affects those around you. The ability to self-reflect is an admirable trait in anyone, but for leaders it’s an essential part of a job well done.

The Everything DiSC series provides training materials for business leaders across the country. Everything DiSC outlines eight distinct management and leadership styles. Identify personal attributes from the eight types below that match your personality to better understand how you lead.

Pioneering

Those who aren’t afraid to break new ground and take chances fall under the pioneering leadership category. These managers might come off as unpredictable at first, but their ability to see things from alternative perspectives gives them an edge in many industries. It’s important for the pioneering leader to think realistically and not become overconfident. A pioneering leader without an ego can be a huge asset to any company.

Energizing

If you’re the type of person who can walk into a room and get people excited, you may be an energizing leader. These people tend to be positive, inspiring, and open to new ideas. You will never meet an energizing leader who doesn’t care about the project they’re working on or the direction of the company. A downside to energizing leadership is that it can be a bit sporadic and unorganized at times, but with a clear focus, energizing leaders help their team feel there is a purpose to their work.

Affirming

This is the feel-good leader that is supportive on an individual level. This type of boss makes others feel valued and respected in the workplace. Above all else, affirming leaders desire a positive work environment where people get along and feel happy with their position in the company. While this kind of support is always welcome, an affirming leader may have an aversion to conflict that can lead to problems when they need to hold others accountable. With the right people around them, affirming leaders routinely prove the value of teamwork.

Inclusive

To an inclusive leader, a management position at a company means listening to others. Instead of taking charge at a meeting in a “my way or the highway” manner, an inclusive leader encourages others to join in a collaboration. Inclusive leaders don’t care so much about getting credit for a good idea as long as the idea gets results. Patience and inclusiveness are the pillars of this leadership style, although strong-willed people can sometimes take advantage of their trust.

Humble

A humble leader tends to take a by-the-book route when trying to accomplish things. These people are usually fair, reliable, consistent, and cautious. This conservative style of leadership tends to be fairly predictable, so employees always know exactly what to expect during a meeting or even a lunch outing. While this type of person delivers results, they sometimes have trouble seeing the bigger picture and adapting to changing circumstances.

Deliberate

A laser-like focus on details is what makes the deliberate leader unique. These types of managers are disciplined, careful, and risk-averse. Unlike most of the other styles, deliberate leaders care more about hard work than collaboration or empathy. That means they can be overly harsh and critical of the people around them. On the positive side, these leaders won’t rest until they achieve their goals.

Resolute

When you’re in a room with a resolute leader, it doesn’t take long to learn his or her opinion on something. These people make their voice heard, even if their opinions come off as cynical or directly contradict someone else. Challenging “common knowledge” is important in growing a company, but the resolute leader needs to know how to pick their battles. When this type of manager argues for the sake of arguing, it leads to problems with coworkers.

Commanding

The commanding leader knows exactly what they believe is the best course of action in any situation. Self-confidence like this can be good or bad, depending on the maturity of the leader. Commanding leaders can provide a sense of direction when a group is going in circles, yet they can also overwhelm a team when their authoritarian side comes out. There are never questions about a commanding manager’s commitment to success — but the manner in which they achieve it determines their quality as a leader.

Look in the Mirror

Do any of these management and leadership styles seem to fit your personality? You may not neatly fit into a single category, and that’s completely normal. Humans are dynamic, so a person may possess traits belonging to several leadership styles.

If you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, our team can help you identify your management style and make the most of it. Additionally, we can teach you to identify leadership qualities in others to help your team members grow in their careers. Contact us today to see how we can help you achieve your goals before the year is over.