January 31, 2025
In today’s hybrid and AI-augmented workplace, understanding different leadership style types has become more crucial than ever. While various leadership styles exist—from transformational to servant leadership—one characteristic that stands out among leadership style types is boldness.
“Quit and leave the company!”
These words stunned me during what should have been a routine leadership consultation. I was working with a group of engineers, and this visceral response came from a team member when I asked how their manager could improve. The story that followed perfectly illustrates why boldness in leadership isn’t just about being aggressive— it’s about having the courage to stand behind your people when it matters most.
The engineer had developed an innovative solution to a persistent problem. His manager initially supported the idea, right until the moment they faced their confrontational CEO. When the CEO barked, “What idiot wants to waste all your budget on this stupid project?” the manager simply pointed to his direct report and stepped back into the shadows. In that moment, months of trust evaporated.
Fast forward to 2025, and while our workplaces have transformed with AI assistance and hybrid teams, this fundamental challenge remains: People still won’t follow a leader who won’t stand up for them, regardless of how many leadership style types they’ve studied or how many management books they’ve read.
Check out The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast, Episode 75: As a leader, How Bold Should You Be?
The Paradox of Bold Leadership in 2025
Modern perspectives on leadership style types often create conflicting feelings about bold leaders. While we admire those who confidently navigate digital transformation, we’re wary of those who push forward without considering long-term implications for both human capital and environmental impact. The issue isn’t boldness itself—it’s the absence of complementary skills that make boldness an asset.
10 Essential Behaviors That Make Boldness Work in Today’s Leadership
Based on recent assessments of over 70,000 leaders, we’ve identified 10 critical behaviors that, when combined with bold leadership, create exceptional outcomes in our current business climate:
The Art of Balance in Modern Leadership
Being bold is a great skill, but it’s a bit like salt. By itself, it’s not very good, but when mixed with the right foods, it can make a huge difference. When I was young, I remember seeing my father put salt on cantaloupe. When I asked him what he was doing, he simply said, “Try it.” To my surprise, the salt brought out the sweetness in a way I’d never experienced before—and I’ve been putting salt on my cantaloupe ever since! The key is not to diminish boldness but to enhance it with the skills that make it truly effective in our current business landscape.
In 2025’s business environment, the most successful leaders understand that different leadership styles require different applications of boldness.
Remember: Various leadership style types can incorporate boldness effectively, but it’s the combination of boldness with these ten critical behaviors that transform good leaders.
-Joe Folkman
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