Leadership is a key contributor to building organizational capacity for change. The commonly used leadership styles, include transformational leadership, democratic leadership, autocratic leadership, servant leadership, charismatic, transactional, bureaucratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles. Transformational leadership is a style that empowers people to accomplish positive change through inspiration, open-line communication with staff, and demonstrating integrity in the staff experience and knowledge. Transformational leaders promote change by emotionally connecting with their audience and inspiring them to achieve greater.

Democratic leadership or participatory leadership is an approach to leadership where members participate in the decision-making process. Democratic leadership style is characterized by high employee engagement as it requires team participation during the decision-making process. Autocratic leadership or authoritarian leadership is an approach to leadership that focuses on results and team efficiency. Unlike democratic leaders, autocratic leaders do not consult anyone and make decisions all by themselves or with the input of a trusted few.

Servant leadership is an approach to leadership that was developed in the 1970s by Robert K. Greenleaf and puts serving staff above all other things. Unlike other leadership styles where the staff serves the leader, in the servant leadership approach, a leader serves the staff. Charismatic leadership is a style that is built on strong communication skills, charm, and persuasiveness. Leaders using charismatic style must be inspiring, empathetic, and charming to those they lead. Charismatic leaders have an intense commitment to their work, and this evokes strong emotions from their followers.

The transactional approach to leadership utilizes a system of reward and punishment to motivate and direct followers. Leaders using this style reward staff who are industrious and self-motivated and reprimand those that are underperforming. The bureaucratic approach to leadership is built on a clear chain of command, strict regulations, and confirmation by its followers. This leadership style is effective for people who have specialized in one role and have specific duties to perform. Laissez-faire or delegating leadership approach is one that leaders step back and allow group members to make decisions. Leaders using this style provide their subjects with all the tools they need to work and then step back and allow them to do everything else. APA