Some people follow leaders because they get things done. They are active people themselves and pride themselves on accomplishment. They will get bored working for someone who spends most of the time on analysis to get fewer things done, but done right. Others may find the analysis stimulating and comforting to know each solution is well thought out.

Some people follow leaders because they are people oriented. They are involved with their followers and give them a sense of belonging. It feels good to be a part of this team and there is a lot of camaraderie.

So, is there a right way to lead? Of course not. Each of us has a natural focus and often a combination of focuses that guide our method of leading. The key issue is in why someone would follow you. Looking at the situation involved, it is important to understand which focus of leadership might be needed. If that is not a strength of yours, you might need to bring in someone else to help lead. That person could even be someone within your team.

It is not only the situation and your natural focus, but the need of the people you are leading. They may have varying needs at any one time and you will have to adapt your leadership style to fit their need if you want to achieve the most results from them.