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Numerous leadership styles exist with some being more effective than others, especially in the business world. Five primary styles are prominent and used often in a number of business models. Size: The spined pygmy shark, a deep-sea shark, is one of the smallest at only about 7-8 inches, while the whale shark is the largest shark, and fish, at about 50 feet in length. Lifespan: Although lifespan varies by shark species, most sharks are long-lived and generally tend to live for 20-30 years. Species like the spiny dogfish and the whale shark are believed to live for over 100 years!
Yes, there are sharks in the Mediterranean Sea, though they are seldom seen, and even more seldom come anywhere close to people. They are there, but in ever-decreasing numbers, as they are being fished to extinction.
The Mediterranean Sea is an inland sea spanning three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. It covers a massive 965,000 square miles, and its warm waters are home to at least 47 different species of shark, at least 15 of which could be dangerous to humans.
Yet despite the millions of people using its 28,600 miles of coastline every year, there have been very few reported Mediterranean shark attacks, and fewer deaths. With very saline, warm waters and little tidal movement, the Mediterranean Sea is home to an abundance of sea creatures, giving the sharks plenty of food to live off of.
Some of the waters in the Mediterranean reach a depth of over 15,000 feet, although the average depth is just 4,000 feet. At the Straits of Gibraltar—a nine-mile gap between Spain and Africa—the Mediterranean Sea opens into the vast Atlantic Ocean and offers a migratory path for many pelagic (open sea) sharks to traverse the ocean to the USA, which some species of sharks do unfailingly every year, returning to the deep waters of the Mediterranean to hatch their young.
Types of Sharks in the Mediterranean
It is believed that there are as many as 47 different species of shark in the Mediterranean Sea (if not more). While some are deep-water dwellers, usually found at depths of 200+ meters (where no casual swimmer will ever encounter them), others can be seen basking in the warm, shallow waters closer to shore.
But don't panic—shark attacks are very rare, especially for casual bathers. The odds of experiencing an unprovoked shark encounter are extremely low, and the odds of it being fatal lower still. You're more likely to be killed by a vending machine than by a shark!
Dangerous Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea
The three most dangerous sharks on the planet are believed to be present in the Mediterranean.
- Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), though there were only 10 sightings between 1985 and 2015.
- Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), though its presence has not been confirmed.
- Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas); again its presence is suspected but not confirmed.
There are many other dangerous sharks in the Mediterranean, including:
- Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
- Smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena)
- Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini)
- Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
- Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
- Grey nurse or sandtiger shark (Carcharias taurus)
- Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
- Spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna)
- Copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)
- Blue shark ( Prionace glauca )
- Sharp-nose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo)
- Oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus)
The 'Requiem Sharks' of the family Carcharhinidae are present in quite large numbers in the Mediterranean.
Did You Know?
Half of all shark species are less than three feet long.
Other Sharks in the Mediterranean
Scientific Name | |
---|---|
Smalleye hammerhead | no |
Sphyrna couardi | |
Milk shark | no |
Carcharhinus falciformis | |
Bignose shark | possibly |
Mustelus mustelus | |
Schoolshark or tope | no |
Galeus melastomus | |
Nursehound | no |
Lamna nasus | |
Longfin Mako | potentially |
Odontaspis ferox | |
Smoothback angelshark | no |
Squatina aculeata | |
Angelshark | no, but can be aggressive if disturbed |
Oxynotus centrina | |
Cookiecutter shark | can be |
Squalus blainvillei | |
Piked dogfish | no |
Somniosus rostratus | |
Velvet Belly shark | no |
Dalatias licha | |
Portuguese Dogfish | no |
Centrophorus uyato | |
Gulper shark | no |
Hexanchus nakamurai | |
Bluntnose Sixgill shark | potentially |
Alopias vulpinus | |
Bigeye Thresher shark | no |
Carcharhinus obscurus |
Are the Sharks in the Mediterranean Dangerous?
Many sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are virtually never seen and so pose no danger to humans in the water. Still, it's a good idea for bathers and others doing watersports to be on the lookout, just in case.
Only the 'big three' mentioned above—the great white, bull and tiger shark—have teeth designed for tearing. Other sharks' teeth are designed for gripping, and so are less likely to cause fatal wounds.
What's more, most sharks—even the great white shark—only bite humans to check out what they are. They aren't interested in eating us. For this reason, it's usually more appropriate to say 'shark encounter' than 'shark attack.' Still, because of the size of the great white, even an exploratory bite by this shark can be fatal or cause serious injury.
Many smaller sharks will bite only when caught in fishermen's nets or on lines. But because even little sharks have powerful teeth, all sharks should be treated with the utmost caution at all times.
Did You Know?
There were 83 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide in 2017, only 5 of which were fatal. Yet, on average, more than 100 million sharks are killed by humans each year.
Shark Attacks in the Mediterranean
Shark Attacks From 1900 to 2015 | |
---|---|
Italy | 11 |
34 | |
Spain | 7 |
25 | |
Greece | 13 |
10 | |
Malta | 3 |
5 | |
Turkey | 2 |
3 | |
Lebanon | 2 |
3 | |
Israel | 0 |
1 | |
Algeria | 1 |
1 |
Shark Conservation
Though humans are conditioned to fear sharks (thanks, Jaws), we're the ones to be afraid of. Here are the main ways humans are endangering sharks.
- Poaching: Though it is illegal, poachers will remove sharks' fins to sell for shark-fin soup, leaving them to sink to the bottom of the ocean and die.
- Illegal Hunting: Some people hunt sharks for sport, hoping to come away with a set of jaws as a trophy.
- Accidental Catch: Fishermen's trawlers and longlines, as well as nets set up along coastlines to keep sharks away from beaches, are responsible for the deaths of many sharks.
- Pollution: Human-made debris—from plastic and metal to toxic waste—collects in sharks' bodies, killing them.
Did You Know?
Shark species in the Mediterranean have plummeted by 97% over the last 200 years.
Unsurprisingly, when shark populations decline, their ecosystems suffer. For this reason, among many others, it's critical that humans start to conserve these incredible animals. For more information about shark conservation, check out the 'Shark Protections' section on the Smithsonian's Ocean website or this report by the NOAA.
Sources
- Benson, M. H. (2018, May 14). 5 Reasons to Revere, Not Fear, the Shark. Smithsonian Ocean. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- Godknecht, A. J. (n.d.). Shark Database (Version 2.0). Shark Foundation. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- Paris, N. (2015, August 19). The 47 shark species that lurk in the Mediterranean. The Telegraph. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
- Great White Shark. (2018, December 18). Smithsonian. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- Yearly Worldwide Shark Attack Summary. (2018, December 17). Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- A agha zag sad TV Khomeini a at zxf
- I was in the med with my son and lots of little silver fish started jumping out of the water beside us, when I looked down there was a little shark 2 maybe 3 feet zigzagging along, honored to see it but..... We played sandcastles for the rest of the afternoon
- There has been no bull sharks ever in the Mediterranean. It could change now the hypersaline lakes along the Suez channel has been washed out. However, the sharks previously thought to have been bull sharks were the uncommon species Carcharhinus amboinensis, also known as the pig-eye shark. It is virtually identical to the bull shark and only experienced experts can tell them apart.
- I can coferm presance of bull sharks in the MED. l have photos to proove
- Im doing a project on the Mediterranean Sea and you are telling me there are no shortfin mako sharks
- HiI was just wondering since I go to Ibiza every summer if there were any risks of sharks there because I'm really scared of them
- No shark is dangerous, there are only dangerous situations. I think this post is motivated by movies like jaws but not by scientific facts. I wonder if a similar post would be made about dogs or mosquito species which are a lot more dangerous then sharks.Shame on you for fueling the fear of people, rather than helping to protect these ecological so important predetors!
- Great read I have been very interested in sharks since a young age. Just come back from Majorca and every time I go in the sea snorkelling I find myself wanting to See a shark don't know what I would do if I did see one tho. I read there was a sighting early this year there in shallow water possibly a young great white but wasn't confirmed
- Bullshark catch in iskenderun Turkey is confirmed
- Great article. I've swam and snorkelled in the waters of many of the Greek islands and also Cyprus. I've never ever seen a shark (phew!), but have seen many other magnificent creatures.Great hub!
- Great Article :) I snorkeled around Sardina, never saw a shark, but I heard that Great Whites breed there :) Thanks for sharing.
- I was snorkeling in southern Italy a few years ago I saw a small shark on the sea floor, close to the shore and it resembled a catfish and did not seem phased or aggressive at all. I have been trying to find out since then what sort of shark this could be. I think it could have been a baby nurse shark. Any advice? Thanks in advance.
- i lov sharks the thing is i get scared if i see one in the sea but i think there really beautiful creatures
- Damn I'm really afraid of sharks. But there is so much I never knew about sharks. I actually thought they didn't exist in the Med.
- That's the last time i'm swimming in the Med!, my father in law used to live in Menorca one of his friends accidentally swam into a shoal of jellyfish, his scars were amazing.
- I have only signed up to hubpages after stumbling across your hub on google. I have always been terrified of sharks, so much so I won't even go in the sea around the UK, yet I find them fascinating to research. My dad is a diving instructor and has swum with them many times so it's strange i'm so scared. Thank you for providing such a fascinating and insightful hub :)
- I would like to know if rivers in Europe are safe of sharks or not.
- I'm always fascinated in everything about the sea... Thanks for posting this great hub! :)
- I absouloutley love snorkeling at coral bay and ive seen a octopus there once.....(coral bay is a few miles away from tomb of the kings road)but ive been watching shark week programs and have really been putten of going in the sea......i usualy go quite far out to sea accidentally and i get really panicky when my dad goes further out and further....has there been any shark attacks on coral bay or pisouri bay
- Very interesting and well written hub. I have always enjoyed learning about sharks, Shark Week was created for people like me who are always wanting to know more about them. Voted Up and Interesting!
- My dads taking me to coral bay snorkeling and I hate sharks,I'm scared to death of sharks should I be worried about getting bitten
- Thanks for the quick reply, looks like we will be snorkeling this weekend
- Hi thereWhy is it sharks in the med are rarley seen, i live in Cyprus and have a bad phobia about sharks. i want to take my Daughter snorkeling but will we be safe.
- Finding a niche and sticking to it is a smart idea :) plus who doesn't love sharks?! My three kids will love this information too. Its great for school reports.
- Wow, this is QUITE an impressive Hub for a beginner. You obviously really know what you are doing! The information is in-depth, the layout is amazing and the videos are fun :) Welcome to HubPages, you'll love writing here and I can't wait to see what else you offer.
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Effective leaders have a style or a combination of multiple styles that make them successful in guiding and inspiring employees. Successful leaders are capable of driving creativity and productivity, while also improving the bottom line of a business. Being an effective leader does not always correlate with being a well-liked person, however. Some leaders are loved by their employees, while others are not highly regarded on a personal level, but remain great at moving the business in a positive direction through distinctive leadership styles. Many leaders are ineffective, and use leadership styles that do not correlate well with their industry or with the people they are attempting to lead.
Leadership styles often correlate closely with personality type. Influence from previous mentors will also influence a person's ability and style to guide and direct a group of individuals. Leadership is not limited to extraverted individuals, who have out-sized personalities, even though that type of individual often rises to leadership roles, because individuals with out-sized personalities are often effective communicators. Some leaders have their own style that does not fit well into a specific personality type. Labeling leadership styles is a general practice, but each leader will have a more in-depth, detailed orientation in the the leader's approach to managing, inspiring and driving results within his organization.
What Are the Traits of an Effective Leader?
Leadership is defined by the results achieved under the specific person in charge. The leader is tasked with the challenge of gathering and molding individuals into cohesive groups that are capable of achieving a common goal. They bring out the best in individuals and of the group collectively, while also driving a higher level of performance than usually would be achieved. Effective leaders drive innovation, and they encourage their people to think strategically and creatively, while also reaching for new limits. In the world of business, an effective leader drives higher profits, and ultimately, increases the value and bottom line of the business as a whole.
That said, not all leaders are effective. A CEO, boss or an individual who's tasked with leadership is capable of failing, even when possessing only one of the above leadership qualities. This can be a situation in which circumstance and bad luck inhibits performance. A market crash or another element outside of the leader's control can stifle results. The leader can fail, because he is unqualified or because he does a poor job of selecting and motivating those around him to meet their goals. The methods used to meet these goals vary significantly.
Autocratic Leadership
This aggressive leadership style is based on control. The autocrat is rarely well-liked, and an autocratic leader uses a militant-like style. The autocrat gives orders and expects prompt execution, with little-to-no feedback or input from the worker. This leadership style can work in a production-type environment that demands maximal output in simple, repetitive job roles. It rarely allows for an environment in which creativity will flourish. The autocrat pushes employees hard; often, he does not get loyalty and long-term commitments in return. High turnover and low satisfaction is expected, in response to this leadership style. There are times when autocratic leadership is effective, however. The military is a prime example. Each individual is encouraged to perform under a strict, autocratic leader, because their job roles have life or death consequences. Performing well in the military under this leadership style also warrants promotions to higher ranking positions.
Laissez-Faire Leadership
The complete opposite of autocratic leadership is Laissez-Faire, which is understood to mean and for do as you will or choose in French. What it means in economic terms is that it is 'a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights,' according to Merriam Webster. The style has some major benefits in creative environments, but it also lacks discipline and structure that is often required in a business environment. Another downside of the Laissez-Faire style is the unstructured approach to learning. It relies heavily on talent, existing experience and creativity to drive results. If hard deadlines, production and bottom-line profits are not necessarily a major factor, Laissez-Faire is a laid back, easy approach to running a shop. It also can work when the employee already has a motive to put in the effort. For example, a commission-based sales role is structured to reward performance. Using a Laissez-Faire leadership style, makes it possible for the employee to find creative means of accomplishing a higher sales rate. A more controlling leadership style that uses proven processes is typical in a sale role, but increasing the freedom to explore creative strategies drives innovation and may yield major results.
Transformative Leadership
When comparing types of leadership that do really well in the business world, Transformative Leadership really shines, as an all-around effective approach. It encourages employees to think critically and the leaders is often inspiring. These leaders have a big vision, and they are charismatic and motivating. The big picture approach, however, does not cover the day-to-day details. A Transformative leader will require dedicated managers that have a more detailed approach, to ensure that administrative tasks and daily processes are in place. The Transformative leader is common in big business, where the CEO is a visionary with a large audience that's receptive to innovative thinking. The technology industry is attractive for these personalities, but they exist across the business spectrum.
Hands-On, Participant Leadership Style
The participant leadership style is collaborative, and takes employee opinion and input into account during the decision-making process. This brings all of the best ideas to the table and puts the leader in a co-worker type of role that's often respected by the employees. While the participant style is a very effective leadership approach, it does not happen quickly. Sometimes, a nimble, decision-making process is required to move forward. The participant process gets bogged down, while everyone delivers input, and the process of compromise and deliberation takes place. Ultimately, the decision is likely thorough and well-considered, but not necessarily timely. If split-second decisions are not critical, this leadership style works well in the business world. It may not work for a stockbroker buying and selling on the stock exchange floor, but it serves many business models well.
Transactional Leadership
This is a straightforward leadership style with a focus on work, reward and processes that drive consistent results. While Transactional leaders tends to lack the hype and charisma found in Transformative leadership, they are very much results-oriented, which is great for business. The style is not harsh, as an autocratic leadership type is, but it does punish poor performance. On the flip side, a transactional leader provides incentive for positive performance. In many cases, better performance means more money through bonus and commission structures. Financial incentive is enough to motivate many employees into productive work habits. In addition to utilizing a rewards system, the Transactional leader is focused on proven processes that produce consistent results. For example, a transactional leader in a sales call center will use strict call scripts and will reward employees who learn and follow the scripts to drive sales.
Other Leadership Styles in Management
Many more leadership styles exist, and a really effective leader is adaptable and capable of executing multiple styles in a manner that best fits their current situation. One common leadership style is the charismatic leader. This person is similar to the Transformative leader in the way they inspire, have a big picture vision and motivate people. It's a big personality role, but not a detail-oriented style.
Another is the Bureaucratic leader, who's subject to strict guidelines and regulations. This is one of the more difficult types of leadership styles, because the individual must motivate and drive results under a strict set of regulations. They are severely limited in their ability to perform in an inspiring or creative manner. In a Bureaucratic environment, transactional rewards are non-existent, outside of promotion possibilities. Punishments from a Transactional or Autocratic leader style are more difficult to apply, because employees typically have layers of protection through unions and other legal rights organizations. The punishment style of leadership is rarely effective and is questionably unethical, anyway, so this is not necessarily a bad thing.
A Situational Leader is rare, and can change the entire course of a company, through his unique leadership skill set. This skill set comes naturally to some leaders, but requires years of practice for others. The situational leader can pull from an arsenal of styles to achieve a desired result. If workers are slacking off, showing up late or not producing, the situational leader can add a temporary level of autocratic style to show that he will not tolerate poor behavior. The same leader can use a participant style to encourage collaboration and problem-solving by including the employees. If a split-second decision is required, the leader will skip the participant process and make a decision, based on his existing knowledge and instincts. When productivity is slowed and the business would benefit from a boost, she can switch to a transactional role and provide performance incentives. Lastly, the Situational leader will communicate a larger vision to her employees while inspiring them to reach new heights and goals. A Situational leader use other roles to manage daily tasks, keep everyone on point and work through the details, but she will keep that big vision and inspiring motive top of mind.
Finding Your Leadership Style
Leadership positions do not come easily. Finding your way into a leadership job role in business usually requires years of hard work while learning and climbing the ladder. Starting a business is another route into leadership, and it immediately springs you into the top role. That's not always a good thing, as you will still need to work hard and learn some hard lessons. Finding your groove as a leader requires failing, on occasion. Learning from those failures and using that experience to become a better leader will ultimately stand to benefit the business. A few people are natural leaders out of the gate, and will take the reigns seamlessly. Most people must work hard and really focus on growth and experience, while experimenting and testing styles, until they start seeing results on the job.
Great leaders often hold dear the best interests of their employees. The leader wants others to reach their highest potential, and as a result, they challenge and elevate everyone. Great leaders are genuinely interested in positive results and in the betterment of everyone around them. A leader with expertise in her field is more natural when speaking to her employees when she has a deep grasp on the business, product or service offering. Employees will respect a leader who can empathize with and appreciate her employees' work in the field. Specialty experience is not always necessary, however. Understanding the raw functions of a business and being able to see the strengths and weaknesses in the business model itself can create a strong leader. Communicating these strengths and weaknesses to key staff members, and utilizing their skill sets to improve the model, is a function of a very results-driven leader.
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About the Author
Zach Lazzari is a freelance writer with extensive experience in startups and digital advertising. He has a diverse background with a strong presence in the digital marketing world. Zach has developed and sold multiple successful web properties and manages marketing for multiple clients in the outdoor industry. He has published business content in Angling Trade Magazine and writes white papers and case studies for multiple corporate partners.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
Lazzari, Zach. '5 Different Types of Leadership Styles.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-different-types-leadership-styles-17584.html. 14 August 2018.
Lazzari, Zach. (2018, August 14). 5 Different Types of Leadership Styles. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-different-types-leadership-styles-17584.html
Lazzari, Zach. '5 Different Types of Leadership Styles' last modified August 14, 2018. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-different-types-leadership-styles-17584.html
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