There is enough spotlight for everyone in your team to shine.

I barely saw them—but I never doubted they had my back. My first leader was almost never around. I could go months without a 1:1, and if we did meet, it was either for a long holiday request or a full-blown escalation. Yet, somehow, this worked for me as my role was so clearly defined that I rarely needed him. And when I did? He were there. I’ve learned this way that PRESENCE isn’t about visibility—it’s about reliability. A leader’s job isn’t to micromanage but to create a structure where the team can thrive independently.5.

1. The One I Didn’t See - The Ghost Leader

No single style I’ve come across is perfect—but every leader I’ve worked with taught me something valuable. Now, I borrow from all of them: <ul><li>Be reliable, even if you’re not always visible.</li><li>Push your team to think, not just execute.</li><li>Keep the mood light—stress kills creativity.</li><li>Protect your team’s time like it’s gold.</li><li>Own your role—but wear your ego silently.</li></ul>

The Takeaway

He reminded me nothing always have to be so serious.Laughter was this leader’s secret weapon. Tense meeting? A well-timed joke lightened the mood. High-pressure project? A quick laugh kept us sane. While I sometimes wished for more hands-on support, their ability to defuse stress taught me that a relaxed team is a creative team.  Lesson: Culture matters. If people are too afraid to breathe, they’ll never take risks—or do their best work.

3. The One With The Jokes - The Funny Leader

Own your power - but wear your ego silently.

He never gave me answers—just better questions. This leader called us "colleagues" and "experts," never "subordinates." He publicly celebrated the team and gave us the spotlight. But here’s the catch: If I went to him with a problem, he would throw it back at me—"What do YOU think we should do?" At first, it frustrated me. Then, it trained me to think like a leader.  Lesson: The best leaders don’t solve your problems—they teach you to solve them yourself.

2. The One With The Challenge - The Coach Leader

This leader protected us like a shield.Years of experience meant this leader knew exactly what our team should (and shouldn’t) work on. He said "no" so we didn’t drown in the overwhelming ocean of tasks, and he delegated with high precision. From this leader, I learned the power of boundaries—and that leadership isn’t just about doing more, but doing the right things. Lesson: A leader’s job is to focus the team’s energy, not just amplify it.

4. The One With The Boundaries - The Gatekeeper Leader

In my professional life I’ve come across 5 different styles of leadership. I’m not saying there are only 5, but these are the ones I’ve learned from in practice. From “she is my colleague” to “I’m her boss” which are the extreme examples, I’ve learned probably enough to know what kind of leader I want to become.

Different Styles Of Leadership

This one wasn’t afraid to own their authority. This leader didn’t shy from hierarchy. Phrases like "I’m the manager" or “She works for me" rubbed me the wrong way—after all, we all work for the business, not a person. But beneath the ego, there was a lesson: Unshakable self-belief. I have learned this way that: Confidence isn’t arrogance. You don’t have to shout your title, but you should know your worth.

5. The One With The Power- The Boss Leader

Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Over my career, I’ve worked under (and learned from) five very different leaders—each with their own strengths, quirks, and lessons. Here’s how they influenced the person I am today.

Different Styles Of Leadership

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