[c]

This style emanates from the emotional intelligence characteristics: conscientiousness, drive to achieve, and initiative. The pace-setting leader sets high personal performance standards and expects others to meet them also. Those who cannot measure up are likely to find themselves being replaced.

The pace-setter does not trust employees to work in their own way or to take the initiative. The result is that the pace-setting style can destroy a positive work environment, as employees feel they will never be good enough and their morale falls. Flexibility and responsibility also disappear.

However, the approach can work well if employees are self-motivated, skilled and only require a minimum of coordination and direction. Teams of accountants, lawyers, researchers and technicians, for example, will often respond well to this style.

Back to Types of Leadership.