Which leadership style focuses on the motivations and needs of subordinates?

The leadership style that effectively focuses on the motivations and needs of subordinates is Servant Leadership. This approach is centered around the idea that a leader's primary role is to serve their team members, prioritizing their growth, well-being, and development. Servant leaders actively listen to their employees, encourage participation, and support them in achieving both personal and organizational goals. By fostering an environment where team members feel valued and their needs are addressed, this style cultivates trust, collaboration, and a strong sense of community within the organization.

In contrast, other styles like autocratic leadership focus more on top-down decision-making with little input from subordinates, while directive leadership involves providing clear instructions and expectations without necessarily considering the individual motivations of team members. Path-goal leadership, while having elements that can address subordinate needs, is more focused on clarifying paths to goals rather than the holistic development and support that servant leadership embodies. Thus, servant leadership stands out as the approach most aligned with prioritizing the motivations and needs of employees.