leadership styles

• Autocratic style of leadership


  • Managers making all the decisions without consulting with employees
  • Decisions are made from the top down
  • Employees are told what to do
• Advantages of autocratic leadership


  • Decisions are made quickly
  • Decisions made by the most experienced members of the organisation
• Disadvantages of autocratic leadership


  • Employees' ideas and creativity might not be considered
  • Employees may become demotivated by lack of input or responsibility
  • Employees have clear instructions of requirements
  • Amount of decision making can be stressful for managers
• Laissez-faire style of leadership


  • Managers letting employees get on with their jobs with as little interference as possible
  • Employees are allowed to make decisions and solve problems on their own with little guidance from management
  • Management will only step in if they are needed
• Advantages of laissez-faire leadership


  • Effective in situations where staff are highly skilled and motivated
  • Employees may feel empowered and motivated by their responsibility
  • Leaves room for innovative decision making
• Disadvantages of laissez-faire leadership

  • Poor performance can result if inexperienced staff are left without direction
  • Employees may feel pressured if they have no support - leading to demotivation and stress
  • It is unclear who takes responsibility
• Democratic style of leadership

  • Managers and employees working together to make decisions
  • A consultative management style
  • Employees are encouraged to communicate ideas to management
• Advantages of democratic leadership

  • Highly motivated employees who feel empowered
  • Employees are better prepared for promotion
  • Employees more accepting of change within the organisation
• Disadvantages of democratic leadership

  • Decision making can take time
  • A strong leader is required to lead discussions and supervise employees