Chapter 3 - Leadership Styles
Definition: “A Leadership Style deals with different (often mutually-exclusive) ways that leaders can
act in order to enable the team to reach their goals.
Authoritarian leaders, known as well as autocratic leaders, stipulate clear expectations for what needs to be done and executed, when it might be done, and how it might be done. Hence, it exists a clear differentiation between the leader and the followers, in another word team members. Whereas, authoritarian leaders take decisions individually with little or no input from the rest of the team members. As a matter of fact, decision making appears to be less creative under authoritarian leadership. Authoritarian leadership best match is toward situations where there is a limited time for a
group decision or whether the leader is the most knowledgeable member of the team.
Benito Mussolini, a great example of a dictator and authoritarian political figure.
= Clear goals in place to be achieved , Fast progression and execution , Creates an environment that is focused on safety / but Very prone to collapse Rights of the team members are hindered. No flexibility for changes
Democratic leadership is perceived as one of the most effective leadership style. Democratic leaders offer directives and objectivesto teammembers, but leaders are participating in the teamby allowing input from all or most of the team members. Democratic leadership encouragesteammembers to contribute, however, preserve the final say over the decision. Teammembers may feel engaged in the process and are more inspired and productive.
= Less likely to disapprove of changes . Use of full potential of the team skills. , Communication gap is reduced.
/ but Dissatisfaction in employees if bad decisions are made. Low staff motivation if loyal connection to management is not established. Struggle when members have different point of views and opinions
George Washington, as an army commander during the American Revolution was a notably
democratic leader when directing the U.S. government. His leadership style shown a
democratic approach by appointing strong leaders to his staff. Moreover, he decided to not
run for a third term illustrated a democratic leader who knows when to pass the torch.
Laissez-faire leaders, or also known as delegative leaders provide little or no directivesto team members and leave the decision-making process at every level of the teammembers. While this style can be effective in conditions and settings where teammembers are highly qualified in an area of expertise, However, it often leads to poorly defined roles and a lack of incentive and motivation is some extends.
= Encourages innovation and initiative , Increase productivity and use of members of team extended skills , Freedom in decision making where effectiveness and fast execution is favored. / but Lack of direction causes ambiguities Not suitable if the subordinates are not knowledgeable, skilled and experienced , Results in a lack of accountability for organizations, groups or teams and failure to achieve goals. Paul Allen is a co-founder of Microsoft, characterizes the laissez-faire leader who is challenged by new ideas but maintains a detached management style. Allen’s decision to leave Microsoft early in its history demonstrates a trait often found among laissez-faire leaders.
Paternalistic leadership consider a method that comprises a dominant authority figure, whereas, the leader acts as a patriarch or matriarch and treats their team members comparable to members of a large and extended family. In a sense, paternalistic leaders expect obedience, loyalty and trust from the team members. The paternalistic leader is most often dominant, where the leader will exercise his or her power and influence by instating loyalty and obedience. Paternalistic style of leadership establishes strong authority; however,the leader is more prone to help team members become more
efficient. This style of leadership establish compassion for team members,furthermore, respect and admiration for the leaderis a key component of successful paternalistic leadership.
= Team members of the team are able to contribute in the decision-making Creativity is encouraged and rewarded / but Low staff motivation if loyal connection to management is not established
Ingvar Kamprad is the founder and father of IKEA. IKEA is the perfect example of a successful family business. Thus, Kamprad maintain a leadership style that is paternalistic, influencing the company’s culture, structure, and business operational strategy.
Transactional leadership emphases on supervision and maintaining a sound organization, and overall team performance. It is a leadership style in which leaders endorse compliance by followers through both rewards and punishments. The transactional approach is not focusing on changing the future, and in the contrary emphases on the establishment and stabili