When you go to work, the goals and processes of the business are laid out by the CEO. This chief executive officer is responsible for managing the operations as they make corporate decisions and oversee the resources while being in contact with employees.

It’s not an easy job, but different leadership methods have various strengths and challenges. Here are the eight different types of CEOs:

Type #1: Figurehead CEO

A figurehead CEO concentrates on the demands of the business and acts as an effective ambassador for the brand. They focus on business development and strategic marketing to grow the company into the future. Because of this focus, they spend less time with the employees and can become disconnected from them.

Separation and isolation may develop with this leadership style because there is no regular interaction with staff, and while the company may flourish under their guidance, the workforce may suffer.

Type #2: Coach CEO

A coach is someone who teaches you to learn and grow. As a CEO, they are effective at developing talent and recognizing people’s strengths and weaknesses.

This CEO is interested in guiding staff so they can develop the skills for their position and work through tasks more independently rather than having demands laid out for them. Coaches have strong communication skills and are very personable and approachable as they strive to get the best out of each team member.

Type #3: Critical Thinker CEO

Critical thinkers usually have a scientific or technical background and use this skill set to focus on the development and growth of the product or service the company provides. They visualize outcomes and strive to turn those goals into reality with the help of their team.

Sometimes, these types of CEOs can get too caught up in the analysis and lose focus on the goal. They must also tap into their managing role and rally the team around them for balance. A critical thinker can improve their skills through an extensive leadership development program.

Type #4: Democratic Leader CEO

A democrat leader is a CEO that builds a collaborative culture in the company and puts trust in their team. They encourage and reward creativity and are open to input, even though they ultimately make the final decisions. This builds great employee morale and increases productivity and strong contributions from all staff.

They like to encourage people to participate and exchange ideas openly while still having control over projects and are still there to guide them.

Type #5: Autocratic Leader CEO

On the opposite end of the scale is the autocratic leader. This is like a military commander in that they control everything and are not open to advise or ideas from the staff. It can seem like a dictatorship, but this CEO is very effective at producing results using compliance and precision.

They give clear direction and set achievable targets through their structured environments but leave no room for creativity or input. This can sometimes hurt morale and make employees dissatisfied, but some workers need this structure.

Authoritarian leadership is great when there is a need for oversight and rigid guidelines because the CEO provides clear direction in stressful situations where quick decision-making is needed.

Type #6: Best Friend CEO

The best friend CEO makes themselves available to everyone. They get to know each employee and like to get involved more personally. They expect the best out of everyone on the team and work hard to inspire them as they build relationships and treat everyone equally, regardless of position.

Too much attention to employees can sometimes take their focus off their duties, so a good balance must be met.

Type #7: Visionary CEO

These types of CEOs are creative and good problem solvers. They use their imagination to see ideas and innovations for the company and work towards their vision becoming a reality. They work well with employees by giving out clear goals and developing strategic plans to enable their staff to take action on projects.

Visionaries see the world differently and find an opportunity they haven’t manifested. They can also help others see it by showing them their grand vision and guiding them in the right direction. This leader will inspire the team to achieve its goals.

Type #8: Founder CEO

The founder is and entrepreneur CEO who either started the company or has founded another company in the past. They know how to make things happen and will work late nights and weekends to ensure the business is a success.

They tend to be very hands-on and know what’s happening in every department to have regular meetings with staff to keep them fully informed. Everything can become critical, so it is hard for them to let some projects or initiatives go.

Understanding the types of CEOs will help you decide what works best for your company. Many CEOs adopt multiple styles and merge the best of them into one cohesive style. Use this as a guideline to understanding what works best in your company, so both the employees and the business thrive.