Richard Ghilarducci: The Four Leadership Approaches
On Effective Communication and Leadership
Effective communication is surely one of the most significant parts of successful leadership in business. How a team performs hinges on how well they communicate with one another. According to Richard Ghilarducci, the anchor of a team’s communication network is the team leader.
The obvious benefits of effective communication from a leader are the smooth delegation and clear explanation of tasks, with almost no room for misinterpretation. It’s also worth noting that the best leaders do way more than assign work and clarify instructions.
Richard Ghilarducci reminds everyone that effective communication is seldom negative. A trademark of great leaders is that they are motivators who inspire their subordinates to do their best. It could not be achieved without effective communication.
Another reflection of effective communication can be seen in company culture, or more specifically, how a leader can cultivate their team, the relationships within it, and how it can fit in the culture the business is trying to promote. The ability to listen, says Richard Ghilarducci, is another indispensable part of good leadership. That’s what great leaders do; they listen. That is why they are able to learn as much as they can about the people on their teams and why they can motivate people and facilitate smooth transitions.
Effective communication also affects the many approaches to leadership. Remember that many organizations are large and are composed of several departments, groups, and specialties. On that note, let’s look at the several styles of leadership.
Collaborative Leadership
This type of leadership requires strong communication with coworkers in order to help them make their own informed decisions. Richard Ghilarducci explains that collaboration is both a cooperative and assertive process. Through collaboration, administrators and clinicians alike work together to reach the organization’s goals.
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leaders emphasize a sense of mission. They empower others to achieve it together while communicating their vision with the team and motivating members to perform beyond expectations. Through this, everyone shares their insights and works with a collective purpose, adds Richard Ghilarducci.
Ethical Leadership
There are times when leaders are forced to make tough decisions for the organization, which may seem to favor some staff members over others. In the midst of these challenges, a great leader has to act from a grounding in ethics. They should be able to treat everyone with fairness and respect.
Conflict Management
When gaps in communication grow between practitioners, conflict can arise. In these situations, Richard Ghilarducci says that an effective leader has ways to work out conflicts to create a positive outcome. It can include incorporating strategies of compromise and mediation, as well as negotiation and enhanced communication in order to resolve issues and restore harmony.
During his career that spanned over three decades, Richard Ghilarducci held leadership roles, including as Chief Executive Officer. He was also a community leader and was elected Mayor for three terms. Read more about his leadership, communication, and management insights by following this page.