Leadership is not one-size-fits-all; different situations and teams require different approaches. However, across many parts of Africa, including Zimbabwe, there is a noticeable tendency among entrepreneurs to gravitate toward Authoritarian or Directive leadership. This reliance on top-down control often stems from a desire for efficiency and decisiveness, yet it can stifle creativity, demotivate teams and hinder long-term success.

While authoritative leadership may seem effective in managing crises or maintaining order, it often overlooks the value of collaboration, innovation and team development. African entrepreneurs, especially in Zimbabwe, can benefit immensely from exploring more adaptive styles such as Democratic and Coaching leadership. These styles encourage engagement, empower teams and lead to better problem-solving and innovation-elements needed for navigating the tough Zimbabwean business environment.

To build successful, resilient businesses, we need to move beyond the comfort zone of command-and-control leadership and instead adopt a more flexible approach. Choosing the right leadership style for the right situation can inspire motivation, improve productivity and drive sustainable business growth.