STYLES OF LEADERSHIP
All leaders have the same basic traits. However, the style of leading differs from person to person. It all depends on the leader’s personality or the situation at hand. Each style has its own set of positives and negatives.
The three styles of leadership are:
1. Authoritarian or autocratic: In this style of leadership, the leader tells his people what to do and how to do without getting any feedback from them. This type of leadership is generally successful in situations where you are short of time and urgent action is called for.
However, this style of leadership is not a very effective one and often leads to some resistance. Hence, it should be used very sparingly.
(U.S. Army Handbook, 1973)
2. Participative or democratic: In this style of leadership, the team is made part of the decision making process. The leader allows his team to decide how the task will be done and who will do it. However, leader remains the final decision
(U.S. Army Handbook, 1973)
making authority. (U.S. Army Handbook, 1973)
This approach of leadership is useful when the leader wants to motivate his team and gain commitment from his team.
3. Delegative or Laissez-Faire manager: In this style of leadership, the leader doesn’t participate in the decision making process him self. He exercises very little control and lets the team decide what to do. However, he still is responsible for the actions taken and decisions made. (U.S. Army Handbook, 1973)
This approach is successful when the team is highly experienced, skilled and motivated.
REFERNCES
- U.S. Army Handbook (1973). Military Leadership.