Management leadership and decision making

• What is a key feature of authoritarian leadership?

  Power is held by the manager
• How does communication flow in authoritarian leadership?

  It is top-down and one-way
• What type of systems are used in authoritarian leadership?

  Formal systems of command and control
• What is the level of consultation in authoritarian leadership?

  There is minimal consultation
• What methods do authoritarian leaders use to manage subordinates?

  Use of rewards and penalties
• How much delegation occurs in authoritarian leadership?

  Very little delegation
• Which theory is associated with authoritarian leadership?

  McGregor Theory X approach
• When is authoritarian leadership most likely used?

  When subordinates are unskilled and not trusted
• What is a key feature of paternalistic leadership?

  It resembles a parent/child relationship
• How does paternalistic leadership relate to employee needs?

  It addresses employee needs
• What is a characteristic of paternalistic leadership compared to authoritarian leadership?

  It often results in better employee motivation
• How does a typical paternalistic leader communicate decisions?

  Explains specific reasons for actions
• What is a key feature of democratic leadership?

  Power is shared within the group
• How does decision-making occur in democratic leadership?

  Employees have greater involvement
• What is a potential downside of democratic leadership?

  It can slow down decision-making
• What is emphasized in democratic leadership?

  Delegation and consultation
• Who has the final say in democratic leadership?

  The leader still has the final say
• Why is democratic leadership popular?

  It has positive emotional connotations
• What is a trade-off in democratic leadership?

  Speed of decision-making vs. motivation
• When is democratic leadership most effective?

  With skilled and experienced subordinates
• What does laissez-faire mean?

  To "leave alone"
• What is the leader's role in laissez-faire leadership?

  Little input into day-to-day decisions
• What is a conscious decision in laissez-faire leadership?

  To delegate power
• What freedom do managers and employees have in laissez-faire leadership?

  Freedom to do what they think is best
• What is a criticism of laissez-faire leadership?

  It can result in poor role definition
• When is laissez-faire leadership effective?

  When staff are motivated and trusted
• How does laissez-faire leadership differ from abdication?

  Laissez-faire is not the same as abdication
• What are the key features of authoritarian leadership?

  • Autocratic leaders hold power
  • Top-down, one-way communication
  • Formal command and control systems
  • Minimal consultation and delegation
  • Use of rewards and penalties
  • McGregor Theory X approach
  • Used with unskilled, untrusted subordinates
• What are the key features of paternalistic leadership?

  • Parent/child relationship
  • Addresses employee needs
  • Softer form of authoritarian leadership
  • Better employee motivation and lower turnover
  • Leader explains reasons for actions
• What are the key features of democratic leadership?

  • Power shared within the group
  • Greater employee involvement in decisions
  • Emphasis on delegation and consultation
  • Leader has final say
  • Popular due to positive emotional connotations
  • Trade-off between speed and motivation
  • Effective with skilled, experienced subordinates
• What are the key features of laissez-faire leadership?

  • Means "leave alone"
  • Little input in daily decisions
  • Conscious delegation of power
  • Freedom for managers/employees
  • Criticized for poor role definition
  • Effective when staff are motivated and trusted
  • Not the same as abdication
• What are the reasons for the shift away from autocratic leadership in the UK?

  • Changes in society's values
  • Better educated workforce
  • Need for soft HR skills
  • Changing workplace organization
  • Greater workplace legislation
  • Pressure for employee involvement