Behind every effective mission and product, there’s an organized group. To have an organized group, you need a dynamic, genuine leader.
 
From national to the unit level, the Auxiliary’s legacy of Service Not Self is carried out not only by our hardworking members, but by our dedicated, passionate leadership.
 
No leader or leadership position is the same, and to have the best outcome, it’s important to dig deep into yourself and your group to find the best leadership style for you.
 
National Leadership Committee Chair Donna Dillard, along with the help of the entire Leadership Committee, put together an ALA Academy webinar about four leadership styles: autocratic, democratic, transformational, and servant.
 
This recording is available to our members on our ALA Academy page at member.legion-aux.org/member/online-training. 
 
Explore the advice Dillard has for discovering your leadership style:
 
Why is it important for me to find my leadership style?    
You can enhance confidence in your leadership abilities by recognizing your own style of leadership. Knowing your leadership style can help you use that knowledge to build on your strengths and be aware of weak areas to avoid. And you can build on that strength when leading others to keep them motivated and build trust. Helping members recognize the benefits and drawbacks of each of the four types of leadership styles can also help them navigate challenging situations and ease some of the friction when different leadership styles collide with each other, enabling a more understanding environment to carry out the ALA’s mission.  
 
How do I develop and understand my leadership style?  
Over the years, numerous leadership theories have been studied and tested. The studies have resulted in four distinct leadership styles: autocratic, democratic, transformational, and servant. There is a lot of information and theories about these styles on the internet today. The ALA Leadership Committee researched and developed a webinar members can watch, and there is a test you can take to gain more insight into your style of leadership. My advice is to start with the ALA Academy webinar, Leadership in Unity: Exploring Leadership Styles, take the leadership style quiz, and then members can decide to explore further avenues of information on the internet and in books if they desire.  

How can I find the best leadership style for myself and my unit?  
Make it fun — watch the leadership webinar on the ALA Academy as a group and then discuss each member’s basic style of leadership. Study the different leadership styles and know that you may not fit perfectly into one category. The webinar recording offers insight into how to merge those styles for a productive project outcome and provides members with tools to define their individual leadership style. And again, there are books and internet articles for those who desire to study this topic further.  

What are the myths or misconceptions about being a quality leader? 
1. A good leader must have all the answers.  
A good leader is well-informed, but they do not need to have all the answers. They know how to ask the questions and invite others to contribute.  

2. If you want it done right or if you are ultimately responsible for something, you should just do it yourself. 
With clear expectations, any member can fulfill a role and do it efficiently. A good leader will recognize and celebrate that, thus building confidence in others.  
 
What’s your leadership style? 
•  Autocratic: clear direction, strong control 
•  Democratic: inclusive, team-oriented 
•  Transformational: visionary, inspiring 
•  Servant: supportive, people first
 
 
Available to watch
Check out the ALA Academy webinar recording Exploring Leadership Styles to learn more on how you lead. Visit www.ALAforVeterans.org/ALA-Academy.