We’ve already established that women make better managers than men (duh), but that doesn’t mean we can’t use advice on how to be a better leader — there’s always room for improvement! Whether you’re managing a team of dozens or a single direct report, understanding your personal leadership style means a more productive, healthier workplace for everyone. To help you become an even more self-aware boss, we’ve broken down each sign’s leadership style with the help of our favorite new cosmic guide, The Astrology of You and Me ($19) by Gary Goldschneider.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
The Trailblazer: As the undisputed leader of the zodiac, there’s no doubt that being a boss comes naturally to you. You’re direct, demanding, and decisive and expect your employees to have as much enthusiasm for the job as you do. You’re an inspiring leader who’s constantly innovating, so it’s not hard to motivate your staff to follow your lead. Even though your independent Aries spirit is a true asset, don’t forget to listen to your team’s opinions and ideas — they’re more than capable of proving themselves as committed to the cause.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
The Stability-Seeker: Thoughtful consideration goes into every decision you make. You’re not motivated by thunderbolts of inspiration and aren’t particularly interested in your employees’ spontaneous ideas either. Instead, you’re busy covering the bases, triple-checking the spreadsheets, and putting systems in place that make everything run smoothly. And yes, that trademark stubbornness can rear its head when you’re collaborating with your team, so remember to focus on the outcome instead of getting bogged down in whose method is better. You’re all in it together!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The Team Player: Working for a Gemini is pretty fun, not gonna lie. You’re most comfortable being the “idea woman” — coming up with general outlines and empowering your team members to make many of the decisions themselves. You’ve always been curious (okay, and a little distractable), which means you appreciate employees who approach you directly and succinctly, with plans and ideas that leave you wanting more (no need to get caught up in the minutiae right now). While leadership may not come naturally to you, your team appreciates your ability to listen and your genuine interest in their ideas.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
The Low-Key Empath: In news that surprises exactly no one, Cancer, you’re a boss who leads with her heart. Willing to throw rules out the window if it means that you and your team keep working in harmony, you prefer to make decisions only once everyone’s voice has been heard. With that said, you’re quietly persuasive, so people tend to agree with you anyway! One word of warning: Don’t expect your employees to anticipate your mood swings. We love how empathetic you are, but not everyone possesses the ability to read minds.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
The Proud Representative: While you’re definitely someone who enjoys the spotlight, Leos also excel at making your employees feel heard, so you’ll always step up to bat for them should the situation arise. This could be a little bit of enlightened self-interest on your part — you don’t want anyone thinking your team is unsatisfied because of an oversight on your part. Of course, you’re fiercely proud of the work you put out and have correspondingly high expectations of your employees. But they’re happy to oblige, since you’re an open, friendly boss who makes everyone feel valued.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
The Results-Driven Realist: To a Virgo, the bottom line is the only thing that truly matters. You’re an incredibly pragmatic leader and don’t tend to concern yourself with your employees’ methods as long as they deliver the goods. Perfectionism is part of your DNA and you make decisions based on facts and figures, not feelings. Excel spreadsheets and Google docs reign supreme in your world! Everyone appreciates that you’re not a micromanager — though sometimes you can come off as a little cold, so try to soften the bluntness when you can.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
The Diplomatic Charmer: A well-functioning office is one where everyone is friends and everyone has a voice, right, Libra? You have an intense desire to be liked by your employees and must balance this with still commanding the respect you deserve. Not that being popular is a problem for you: You’re a naturally magnetic leader, and your team wants to do a good job because they like you so much as a person. You’re zealously egalitarian and consider all opinions carefully before making a decision, feeling best when the support of the entire office is behind every move — self-important ladder climbers need not apply.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
The Passionate Workaholic: You’re committed to your job and accept nothing less from your employees. Hard work and dedication are your two tenets, and you cannot abide ego, drama, or indecisiveness from your team. With that said, you’re incredibly loyal to your group and will do anything to make sure they’re protected and empowered. You take your time making decisions, Scorpio, and often have secret backup plans in case your initial idea doesn’t pan out. We know your team appreciates your direct management style, but a flexible, forgiving attitude can go a long way in motivating a group. (Just sayin’.)
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
The Independent Decider: Leading a team isn’t exactly effortless for you. And that’s not a dis — you’re just such a quick, intuitive thinker it’s hard for you to remember to slow down while your employees catch up. It’s a challenge they enjoy, however, since your innovative approach inspires creativity. While you may you prefer to let your actions speak for themselves, just remember that communication is key. You’re genuinely curious about your team’s methods and love hearing how others tackle a project or problem, even if you’re used to following your gut.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
The Pragmatist: You take your role as boss incredibly seriously and have a hard time letting go of control. It’s true — you’re not the best at delegating and like to make all decisions on your own, without much input from your team. On the other hand, you’re always impressed by someone else taking initiative… even if you sometimes feel you’re only truly happy when that person comes up with the same conclusion as you! We totally understand this impulse, but shaking up the routine can be inspiring to both you and your team.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
The Free Spirit: As someone who usually considers themself a lone wolf of sorts, an Aquarian is always refreshing to see as a boss. You’re a quick-witted, generous, and impatient leader, making you a fun — if sometimes confusing — person to work for. You were born with a rebellious streak and a desire to leave your mark on the world, and this manifests itself in your management style — you’re always open to new ideas and favor creativity in your team. Your main objective should be to harness this erratic energy into actionable, concrete plans that your team can implement with some predictability.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
The Adaptable Influencer: You’ve got a relaxed, approachable managerial style, Pisces, and your team will do just about anything for you thanks to it. To the uninitiated, you may initially come across as indecisive or unmotivated, but you’ve actually got incredible business intuition and are exceptionally on point when it comes to financial decisions (you’re just super chill while you handle your stuff). You’re always interested to hear new ideas, and this flexibility makes for a dynamic, inspiring workplace. Just don’t let your team take advantage of your easygoing nature — stay strong!
Would you say your cosmic management style matches up to how you see yourself? Tweet us @BritandCo to let us know what you think!
(Photos via Getty)
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