How predictable is your leadership style?

Our reader poll today asks: How predictable is your leadership style?

– My team always knows what to expect from me and how I lead: 29%
– Most of the time I’m predictable, but I occasionally surprise people: 68%
– I’m mostly unpredictable, and my team reacts to my shifts in style: 1%
– I’m completely unpredictable, and my style is not clear to most others: 2%

People don’t like surprises at work. Being predictable in how you lead enables your team to focus on their work rather than wondering how you’ll react to things they do. A consistent and predictable leadership style helps your team make decisions in your absence. It also builds trust between you and your team members. If they know what they’re going to get in any given interaction, they’re more likely to trust you than if you surprise them with an unexpected reaction (even if that surprise happens only occasionally). Spend some time defining your leadership style and explaining it to your team. It’s a good place to start building trust.

Do you agree with these poll results?  Let us know in the comments below!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 190,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.