Leadership styles that enhance community healing 1 Table 1: Summary of leadership styles and their overall impact on the human relationship climate Commanding Visionary Affiliative Democratic Pacesetting Coaching The leader’s Demands modus operandi immediate compliance Mobilises people Creates toward a vision harmony and builds emotional bonds Forges consensus through participation Sets high standards in respect of performance Develops people for the future The style in a phrase ‘Do what I tell you’ ‘Come with me’ ‘People come first’ ‘What do you think?’ ‘Do as I do, now’ ‘Try this’ Underlying emotional intelligence competencies Drive to achieve; initiative; self-control Self-confidence; empathy; change catalyst Empathy; building relationships; communication Collaboration; team leadership; communication Conscientiousness; drive to achieve; initiative Developing others; empathy; selfawareness When the style works best In a crisis, to kick-start a turnaround, or with problem employees When changes require a new vision or when a clear direction is needed To heal rifts in a team or to motivate people during stressful circumstances To build buy-in or consensus, or to get input from valuable employees To get quick results from a highly motivated and competent team To help an employee improve performance or develop long-term strengths Overall impact on climate Negative Most strongly positive Positive Positive Negative Positive Source: Goleman (2000, pp. 82–83) Overall, some leadership styles have a negative impact on human relations, while others have a positive impact. This indicates that leaders have a great role to play in group and community healing. For this reason, community healing could be a key indicator of good and effective leadership. Failure or success of leaders could therefore be measured by the extent to which their leadership leaves individuals and communities healed. > Case study / ‘Nelson Mandela’s legacy celebrated’ In his message to mark this year’s Nelson [Mandela] International Day, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon clearly articulated the world’s impression of the man called Nelson Mandela: ‘an extraordinary man who embodies the highest values of humanity … [and] we are united in admiration for a giant of our times’. A giant with strong determination, zeal and spirit to fight for the cause he believes in, which is a ‘democratic and free society’. This ideal he once noted ‘is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’ After almost 50 years of racial segregation under Apartheid, in South Africa, many thought change could only occur through civil conflict. However, an unexpected turn in history came with the process of dismantling the Apartheid system, where Nelson Mandela was [released] from prison and chosen as South Africa’s first democratic president. Nelson Mandela emerged not only as South Africa’s first democratic president, but as an international symbol of hope for humanity. After being jailed for 27 years, Mandela once again began where he left off: to continue to preach a message of peace, forgiveness and Module 1: Understanding community healing 11 »