Most teams don’t struggle because of strategy or talent. They struggle because of how leaders show up every day. Some leaders hold the reins too tightly while others stay so hands-off that people are left guessing. A smaller group strikes a healthier balance. They shape how work feels and how quickly teams move.
Ashley Herd, the creator of the Manager Method, compares leadership styles to pants: tight jeans, oversized sweats and cozy joggers. The difference isn’t personality, she says, but how leaders balance autonomy, structure and communication. Keep reading this issue of PromoPro Daily to see if you’re a cozy jogger kind of leader, which, according to Herd, is the best kind.
Tight jeans management: Control that limits performance. These kinds of leaders usually have good intentions, Herd says. They want their team to succeed, protect them from mistakes and ensure the work is done well. They may check in constantly, thinking they’re setting their team up for success. The problem, though, is that it can start to have the opposite effect. People may experience this management style as a constraint.
Oversized sweatpants management: Roomy but no support. These kinds of leaders aim for empowerment. They limit direction to give employees space, Herd says, and they avoid feedback because it feels harsh. In place of scheduled meetings, they may say, “You know where to find me if you need me.” According to Herd, what these leaders intend as freedom can instead feel like a lack of care.
Cozy joggers management: Autonomy with direction. If you ask Herd, every leader should aspire to be like a cozy pair of joggers. They give teams enough structure to feel supported and enough flexibility to do their best work. Expectations are clear, communication is consistent and employees feel trusted to do the work well. Herd says this leadership style reinforces accountability while building judgment. It signals trust without disappearing. And it keeps the manager appropriately involved without taking over.
Think about your own leadership style. If you lean too far toward control, your team members may not feel like they have any autonomy. If you give too much distance, people may not understand your expectations. But if you strike the right balance — if you’re the cozy joggers in the leadership-style closet — you create a steadiness for your team. They know what’s expected and they have the confidence to get it done.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Ashley Herd created Manager Method after leading HR and legal teams at McKinsey, Yum! Brands and Modern Luxury. She’s a top LinkedIn learning instructor and co-host of the HR Besties podcast.
