Various Types and Characters of a Leader That Are Around Our Lives
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Various types and temperaments of an autocratic leader who has absolute power and always makes decisions without heeding the opinions of his assistants or companions, tend to be more responsible, although sometimes he often blames others for mistakes or failures that occur as a result of his decisions.
In contrast to the type of authoritarian leader who has absolute power and certainly tends to make decisions as he pleases, without heeding input or opinions from others, especially for his subordinates. So that participation does not emerge as a power that can be utilized. As a result, the form of orders and instructions in one direction becomes centered on the authoritarian leader. Because subordinates do not get the opportunity to submit initiatives or suggestions or even good opinions.
The consequence is that an authoritarian leader will be very tired because starting from the smallest things will be supervised or managed directly by this authoritarian leader. Therefore, initiative, creative power and inventive potential will not emerge and will not be possible to develop in the layers of workers below it.
Then there is also a type of democratic leader to make various decisions by considering the opinions, suggestions or input from others so that the participation of team members under his control and direction will be considered seriously.
In another view, according to experts and researchers there is also a type of Laissez-faire leader who gives great freedom to team members under him to make decisions and organize themselves to work until they make decisions that they consider good.
Then there are also those who call the transactional leader type who only focuses on tasks and achievement targets that must be achieved in the usual way of giving rewards and punishments based on the achievements made by his staff or subordinates. But in another view, there is also a type of transformational leader who prefers to motivate his members to achieve success targets so that they can continue to develop their respective potentials to continue to advance and develop along with the work achievements that have been obtained.
Of course, every leader has advantages and disadvantages and the level of effectiveness of his work with the team or subordinates under his direction to achieve success together.
In the beginning, the type of leader was still very limited to only understanding the type of a charismatic leader. Usually this type of charismatic leader has the ability to motivate and inspire others or his subordinates with his unique leadership style and methods.
Usually, this charismatic leadership has good and strong communication skills. His vision is clear and very inspiring and can build trust and high loyalty from subordinates or those in his work team. The advantages of this type of charismatic leader are very persuasive and have the power and ability to motivate subordinates or his work team.
Apart from that, a charismatic leader can influence the way of working – or even the way other people see things – to join together and develop their potential to achieve success together. So, the team under charismatic leadership can develop and become stronger and more solid.
A leader can be seen from his success in building a household. Making a business in the economic sector. Organizing harmony among the people in carrying out religious guidance and teachings. Including building political power through parties. Or building a strong and solid mass-based organization, especially in organizing and financing to run the organization.
In our governance, there are national leaders, there are leaders of ministries and institutions to regional leaders, city leaders to village leaders. All of them can fall into one category of leaders as mentioned above, or maybe also fall into other categories that we missed mentioning. At least for the TNI and Polri, the type and model of leadership applied is definitely the command system. And ourselves — as leaders — at least in the family environment, may not fall into any type. Because the leadership we practice can be the newest model and type of leadership.
Tangerang, May 18, 2025
—-
