Do you have a role model? As a student of Leadership styles, you must have a role model that is worth imitating. If you don’t, then please look for one. As a new manager or first level leader, you will be tempted to copy your role model.

Don’t graduate from the School of Parallelism
Without realizing, you may adopt the principle of parallelism – to be a replica of the leader you look up to… There is no doubt, the role model should be worth imitating but should not be imitated. If you try to develop a leadership style by imitating your manager, it might look flattering to him initially, but soon you will graduate into a constant irritant with no identity.

If you are trying to be a clone, you will always be an inferior quality of clone. Interestingly, and at every level of hierarchy, the quality of the clones will deteriorate.  There is another school of thought that promotes parallelism. However, it is not a good strategy. Your role model may have a force of personality that makes him successful in spite of the flaws in the personality. What has worked for him may not be sufficient for you. You are unique, therefore, discover your own leadership style. When developing a unique leadership style, imitation is NOT the best strategy.

Finally, your actions should reflect your deep-rooted values and attitudes and not of someone else.