Effective Leadership Styles for Teaching Workforce Development Adults

by 

Wendy Johnson, PhD

Teaching workforce development programs for adults requires adaptive and empowering leadership. Adult learners juggle many responsibilities and seek practical skills for their careers. Educators must use leadership styles that encourage engagement, motivation, and hands-on learning.

Below are five leadership styles particularly effective in teaching workforce development adults.

1. Transformational Leadership: This style inspires and empowers students by fostering a vision for success. It encourages adult learners to think critically, develop confidence, and embrace continuous learning – essential elements in today’s evolving workforce.

How It Works in Workforce Development:

• Encourages a growth mindset: Promotes lifelong learning and adaptability.
• Connects education to career goals: Helps students see the relevance of their learning.
• Builds self-confidence: Empowers learners to overcome challenges.

2. Servant Leadership: This style focuses on meeting the needs of students, ensuring that learning is inclusive and accessible. This approach fosters trust, collaboration, and mentorship, helping adult learners overcome barriers such as financial struggles, lack of confidence, or work-life balance challenges.

How It Works in Workforce Development:

• Promotes collaboration: Encourages teamwork and peer support.
• Provides individualized support: Addresses unique learner needs.
• Fosters an inclusive environment: Creates a sense of belonging for all students.

3. Coaching Leadership: Coaching leaders emphasize individual development by offering constructive feedback, career coaching, and hands-on learning experiences. In workforce development, this style is particularly useful for skill-building, goal setting, and professional growth.

How It Works in Workforce Development:

• Provides one-on-one mentorship: Guides learners through personalized development plans.
• Facilitates goal setting: Assists students in defining and achieving career objectives.
• Encourages practical application: Integrates real-world scenarios into learning.

4. Situational Leadership: This style is flexible and adaptable, making it ideal for workforce development educators. Since adult learners have varying levels of experience and confidence, this approach allows instructors to adjust their teaching methods based on student needs.

How It Works in Workforce Development:

• Tailors instruction: Modifies teaching strategies to fit different learning styles.
• Offers appropriate support: Balances guidance and autonomy based on learner proficiency.
• Responds to feedback: Continuously adapts to the evolving needs of students.

5. Democratic Leadership: This style tends to involve students in the decision-making process, which creates a collaborative and interactive learning environment. This approach is effective in environments that emphasize teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.

How It Works in Workforce Development:

• Encourages active participation: Invites learners to contribute ideas and perspectives.
• Develops leadership skills: Provides opportunities for students to lead projects.
• Enhances critical thinking: Engages learners in problem-solving discussions.

Effective workforce development education requires leadership styles that are engaging, supportive, and adaptable. By incorporating transformational, servant, coaching, situational, and democratic leadership approaches, educators can create an environment where adult learners feel empowered, motivated, and prepared for career success.

Anders, M. (2023, April 4). 5 Adult Learning Principles to Help Design Better Professional Development. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/adult-learning-principles-design-better-professional-development/

Hyperspace. (2024, June 1). Leadership Development Through Adult Learning. https://hyperspace.mv/leadership-development-through-adult-learning/

World Education. (n.d.). Adult Education Leadership and Teacher Effectiveness. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://worlded.org/expertise/adult-education-leadership-teacher-effectiveness/

Chief Learning Officer. (2022, June 29). Does your leadership development program leverage all five adult learning theories? Here’s why it should. https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2022/06/29/does-your-leadership-development-program-leverage-all-five-adult-learning-theories-heres-why-it-should/

Global Learning Partners. (n.d.). Our Approach. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.globalearning.com/