2020 iLEAD e-book

Goleman’s 6 Leadership Styles
In his book Primal Leadership (2002, with Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee), Goleman introduces six
leadership styles. To properly understand the six leadership styles, you should first understand his human
communication / interaction concept of resonance.
Leaders create resonance
In the view of Goleman, good leaders are effective because they create resonance. Resonance comes from the
Latin word resonare. Again creating sound. Effective leaders are attuned to other people's feelings and move
them in a positive emotional direction. They speak authentically about their own values, direction and
priorities and resonate with the emotions of surrounding people. Under the guidance of an effective leader,
people feel a mutual comfort level. Resonance comes naturally to people with a high degree of emotional
intelligence (self -­‐awareness, self-­‐ management, social awareness and relationship management) but involves
also intellectual aspects.
Creation of resonance can be done in six ways, leading to Six Leadership Styles. Typically, the most effective
leaders can act according to and they can even skilfully switch between the various styles, depending on the
situation