By Steve Moran
Leadership is a funny thing. Every leader has a style, and that style is mostly determined by how they have seen others lead and what is comfortable for them. It may even feel like it is working great.
But what if you could be an even better leader?
The truth is that most bosses, most leaders, operate under the theory that they either have it all figured out or have to act like they have it all figured out. This means that what teams hear is this:
“I’m the boss. I tell you what to do. End of story.”
I would like to suggest there is another way — a better way — and it changes everything.
The Two Kinds of Leadership
At its core there are just two leadership styles:
- Top-down leadership
🚧 “I’m in charge, so I call the shots.” 🚧
This is the classic model. The boss makes the decisions, and everyone else follows orders. There might be some input, maybe even a little wiggle room for creativity, but at the end of the day, it’s about control.
This approach has been around forever — it can work, sort of kind of … but it’s exhausting. For the leader, for the team, for everyone. Employees get frustrated because they don’t feel valued. The boss carries the weight of every decision.
And innovation? It gets stifled because people don’t feel safe bringing new ideas to the table.
Want some examples?
Think about companies like Blockbuster or Kodak: Once giants, they fell apart because leadership failed to adapt. They stuck to their way of doing things, ignoring input from the people on the ground.
And look what happened. It is actually kind of interesting to think about what the world would look like today if those two companies had different leaders, different leadership styles.
- Bottom-up leadership
🚀 “My job is to make you better.” 🚀
Now, imagine a company where leadership is all about coaching rather than controlling. Where “the boss’s” primary job is to help the team think, innovate, and grow. That’s bottom-up leadership.
Instead of dictating every move, these leaders ask:
✅ How can I help you succeed?
✅ What do you need to do your best work?
✅ What ideas do you have to make things better?
When leaders take this approach, amazing things happen. People feel trusted. They take ownership. They start thinking and acting like leaders themselves.
Look at companies like Google, Southwest Airlines, or Zappos — organizations where leadership empowers employees to make great decisions. These companies thrive because their people want to be there, want to contribute, and want to innovate.
Bottom-Up Leadership Wins Every Time
It’s not just about making employees happy (though that’s a huge plus). It’s about results. The best companies grow faster, innovate more, and retain talent longer when they embrace bottom-up leadership.
Here’s why:
💡 More brains are better than one. When everyone is encouraged to think, rather than just follow orders, better ideas emerge.
🎯 Decisions are made closer to the action. The people on the front lines know what’s working and what’s not. Leaders who listen make better choices. It also means that decisions are made faster.
📈 It’s more fun. Seriously. Leadership is way more enjoyable when you don’t have to micromanage everything. And at the end of the day, who doesn’t want life and leadership to be more fun?
Making the Shift
If you’re leading a team, ask yourself:
🔹 Are you dictating or coaching?
🔹 Are you giving your team the chance to grow?
🔹 Are you creating an environment where great ideas can flourish?
The best leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers. They’re the ones who bring out the best in their people.
So, which kind of leader do you want to be?
