There is an old saying that you learn more from mistakes than from successes. I believe the types of leadership we experience shape our own leadership style. We gravitate to leaders that empower us. Leaders that show they are with us and not against us. In business there is no reason for a leadership style that puts people down we should always strive to build them up.
I experienced a leader once who proudly told me that he would tell different partners different stories to see where the “leak” came from. I thought to myself that we design destinations what is there to “leak”.
I have also experienced leaders that would not give direct guidance but rather gave vague suggestions to see if you would figure it out. Then criticize the team member for the errors or that they didn’t do it the way they had.
Or leaders that would pick one person on the team or in the meeting to just pick on relentlessly.
Of course these “leadership” styles were failures of character. That talent is the greatest resource that design firms have.
Failed leaders move on. They seldom last.
Build up character do not destroy character.
