Expert opinion: Leadership styles, and how they change (part 1)

These business leaders explain how they approach their leadership style, and shed light on how and why it has evolved over the years.

We recently reached out to our LinkedIn community to learn how leaders define their leadership style, and how (and why) it has evolved over the years.

For part one of our two-part series, we learn the importance of pairing the right leader for the right team, and how these leaders prioritise perspective, collaboration and listening, empathy, and diversity.

The advice is applicable to various industries, so read on to find some inspo for your own leadership style, and be sure to stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

Sean Garvey
Partner – Head of Technology Industry Sector & CIO Practice: Odgers Berndtson

Leadership, an endlessly debated topic, remains elusive with no definitive consensus. Over the years, I’ve come to see leadership as a profoundly personal journey, with “style” encapsulating its unique nature. It’s not about being strictly good or bad; leadership exists on a spectrum. A leader who thrives in a scale-up may not suit a global corporation.

My leadership journey began with founding and growing my business to a successful exit. Initially, I believed leadership was about having a commanding presence, making swift decisions, and assuming things would work out. Naivety and ignorance were almost assets in those early days. However, experience has taught me that the collective power of capable individuals working together surpasses even the most talented lone leader. Age and battle scars have shown me that true leadership lies in harnessing a team’s strengths rather than attempting to do it all oneself. A cliché? Possibly, but it’s also true.

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Amie Morris
Board of Directors: REELise Film Festival

My leadership style is deeply rooted in empathy, a trait that has been a significant part of my life due to my neurodivergent nature. This inherent ability to understand and connect with the needs of others has shaped how I lead and interact with my team. Even though I have worked in very fast-paced and somewhat stressful media industry situations that have often prompted me to act in a more directive manner, when the pressure subsides I still believe that communication is key. In those high pressure-situations, clear communication, trust and delegation is imperative.

I see leadership not as a solitary journey but as a collective effort where each individual’s light can shine more brightly with the right support and encouragement. Fostering an environment where everyone feels understood and valued, I can unlock their full potential. Through that trust I can also navigate the difficult waters of improvement.

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Tetiana Iurko
Founder: Digit:able Media

My leadership journey began at the age of 10 when I was the leader of a girls’ handball team. Early on, I realised that being a leader meant being an integral part of the team. This foundation shaped my approach as I continued to lead groups and faculty teams during my university years.

Over those 5.5 years, my leadership style evolved to prioritise listening to team members’ thoughts and ideas, valuing their backgrounds, and ensuring effective communication. These experiences reinforced the importance of collaboration and inclusivity, teaching me that a successful leader is one who delivers value to everyone on the team.

As a marketing manager in my career, I’ve enjoyed opportunities to refine my leadership approach. The principles I learned early on – teamwork, listening, and valuing diversity – have remained central to my leadership philosophy. Over the years, I’ve become more adept at fostering an inclusive environment. This has allowed me to lead with empathy and effectiveness, ensuring that both the team and organisational goals are met.

Through these experiences, I have learned that leadership is a continuous journey of learning and adaptation, always centred around the collective success of the team.