What is Affiliative Leadership?

Affiliative leadership is a management style centered around creating emotional bonds and harmony within a team or organization. It prioritizes the people, their feelings, and the establishment of a harmonious environment over rigid adherence to tasks or performance goals. 

Identified by Daniel Goleman as one of the six leadership styles, this approach strongly emphasizes empathy, communication, and building strong interpersonal relationships. 

An affiliative management style is often leveraged by harmonious leaders to address conflicts, motivate during stressful times, and strengthen team bonds, making it a powerful tool for enhancing team cohesion and fostering a positive workplace culture.