Leadership Styles

• what are the four different types of leadership styles?

  -autocratic

  -democratic

  -laissez faire

  -paternalistic
• what is the definition of autocratic?

  decisions are made at the top of the hierarchy, employee views are often unvalued and the managers have a tight control over their employees
• what is the definition of democratic?

  it often operates through two way communication and delegation it is the opposite to autocratic
• what is the definition of paternalistic?

  a dominant authority figure that treats its employees as members of one big extended family
• what is the definition of laissez faire?

  the managers are more laid back, giving employees the freedom to make their own decisions
• what are the advantages of autocratic?

  -quick at making decisions

  -effective in the short term
• what are the disadvantages of autocratic?

  -it can decrease employee moral

  -no consideration of the employees views
• what are the advantages of democratic?

  -employees often feel valued

  -high performance and production
• what are the disadvantages of democratic?

  -often takes longer to make decisions

  -too many ideas
• what are the advantages of paternalistic?

  -reduced competition between employees

  -employee loyalty
• what are the disadvantages of paternalistic?

  -employees can often become too attached/ dependent to employer

  -employer still makes all decisions
• what are the advantages of laissez faire?

  -employees often feel more motivated as they can make their own decisions and they have freedom

  -effective when employees are experienced
• what are the disadvantages of laissez faire?

  -it requires a lot of trust from the employer
• what are the four main styles of leadership? (not autocratic etc)

  -tells

  -sells

  -joins

  -consults
• What is tells leadership style?

  Where the leader identifies a problem and tells subordinates, expecting implementation
• what is sells leadership style?

  where the leader still makes the decision but attempts to overcome resistance by discussion and persuasion
• what is joins leadership style?

  where the leader identifies a problem and passes the problem solving and decision making onto another group/ team
• what is consults leadership style?

  where the leader identifies a problem and presents it to the group to gather their input, ideas and suggestions before making a decision
• why might leaders act the way they do?

  -nature of the task

  -own personality

  -the skills of the labour force

  -orgainisational structure

  -if the task has a timeframe