Leadership Styles Autocratic, Democratic, Laissez-Faire
Dec 22, 2015
The main concern in choosing a particular style of leadership is in recognizing what is most appropriate for your group, at a particular time, in a particular situation, to complete a particular task.
How Not To Flip Over a Jeep
Autocratic: Leader-CenteredIn the autocratic
method, the leader is the spark plug whose policies, ideas, and plans are the ones that are carried out. So this leader mainly seeks obedience from the group in getting things done.
Remember the Titans
Autocratic: Leader-CenteredHard-boiled type believes...
Benevolent type...
in constantly checking on everyone
praise will spoil peoplepeople should not
question orders
Example: Army
is interested in the individuals within the group
gives praise as well as criticism
is seldom severe or harshdoes not realize his/her
leadership is autocratic
Still a top down or leader-centered style of leadership
Effective When...
Ineffective When...
time is limitedindividuals/Group lack
skill and knowledgedealing with a dependent
persondealing with a hostile
person, channel that energy constructively
the goal is to develop a strong sense of team
some degree of skill/knowledge is in members
In this style, the leader is the spark plug whose policies, ideas, and plans are the ones that get carried out.
Democratic: Group-CenteredIn the democratic method, the group is
central; from its abilities, ideas, and energies the leader gets the materials to build accomplishment. The leader draws ideas and suggestions from the group by discussion and consultation. Group members are encouraged to take part in setting policy. The leader’s job is largely that of moderator.
Democratic: Group-CenteredA Democratic Leader...involves group members in planning and
carrying out activitiesasks before he/she tellsgives praise and criticism based on
results, not personal likes/dislikesshares success with the group
Effective When...
Ineffective When...time is available
group is motivated and/or sense of team exists
some degree of skill or knowledge available in group
group is unmotivated
no skill/knowledge is in members
high degree of conflict present
Reason for being Democratic is to make Better Decisions
Laissez-Faire: Individual-Centered
In the free-rein method, there is a multiple focus. Each individual in the group tends to become a supplier of ideas. The leader is more or less an information booth on had mainly to provide materials and information and exercise minimum control.
Apollo 13
Laissez-Faire: Individual-CenteredA Laissez-Faire Leader...gives little or no direction to
group/individualsgives opinion only when requestedLeaves responsibility with members for
getting things doneTends to let things go hoping
individuals will assert themselves
Effective When...
Ineffective When...high degree of skill and
motivation within group’s members
sense of team existsdealing with a solo
player dealing with someone
who is withdrawn
low sense of team/interdependence
Low degree of skill/knowledge is in members
Dealing with a group-minded person
When skilfully used in suitable situations Laissez-Faire Leadership can release a lot of creative drive
Myths About EachAutocratic does not always mean a
dictatorship, or wilful self-satisfaction at the expense of the group.
Democratic does not mean putting all decisions to a vote.
Laissez-Faire does not mean absence of leadership, a group left to lurch along without guidance or direction.
Further Leadership StylesThe characteristics of each of the three
leadership styles are extreme, and most leaders will employ different amounts of each style. Effective leaders should be able to employ all three styles depending on the situation that the group finds itself in. However, within each of these categories there are more narrow types of leadership.
Director EntrepreneurIdentifies each problem
and comes up with the solution
May allow decision making process within the group, but will not let the members be a part of the final decision making
Assigns roles to participants and outlines their responsibilities
Relies primarily on his or her own judgment and “common sense”
Makes decisions without notifying the group, and then persuades the group of the validity of the concept
Describes how the decision fits both the interests of the group and the interests of the individual members
CounselorAllows the group to work through the decision
making process on their ownGives background and may play devil’s
advocate to the processEncourages group to consider as many
solutions as possibleSelects the solution that appears the most
promising.
Leadership refers to the process where by an individual directs, guides, influences, or controls the thoughts feelings, or behaviour of other human beings.
Why does the need for a leader arise?
1. They serve as the best means of meeting a particular need for the group.
2. They have personal objectives which require a group of people to reach a goal.
3. They have found an assortment of individuals who accept their objectives and their direction.
Why does a person become a leader?
1. It provides a means of satisfying personal needs.
2. Achievement of goals they desire3. Status needs4. A desire for recognition
Why do followers follow?1. Compliance: Fear of something whether it
is real or perceived. Example: Marks2. Identification: You identify with or like the
person or the task. 3. Internalization: You realize that the task
must get done, or that the leader has a purpose.
What is the Function/Role of a Leader?Leaders all have the same 3 basic
roles/functions:1. Interpersonal: establish and maintain
interpersonal contacts within and outside of organizations.
2. Informational: gather + disseminate (circulate) relevant information to the group.
3. Decision Making: making the right choice at the right time for the group.
Task: relate these 3 functions to a situation you have been involved with.
1. Making People Work: K.I.T.A.’s
A. Negative K.I.T.A.’s:
Direct Physical Blow Whips with
animals, slaves Beating students
(caning)
B. Negative Psychological K.I.T.A.’s: must follow through
Threat of something bad
“If you do that I will …”
C. Positive K.I.T.A.’s: Carrot on a Stick
Example: Fringe Benefits – Pro Sports Incentive Clauses.
Hertzberg claims that none of the above work; they do not relate to the motivational factors which produce productivity.
2. Making People Want to Work(2 motivators)
A. Those that give no satisfaction:
Motivating factors which cause dissatisfaction
1. Supervision2. Administration3. Work conditions4. Status5. Money6. Security7. Inter personal
relations
B. Motivating Factors Important For Job Satisfaction
1. Achievement2. Recognition of
achievement3. Responsibility4. Advancement5. The type of work
Conclusion:1. Motivation is a Function of:
A. Competence and AbilityB. Reinforcement of One’s AbilityC. An Opportunity to Use One’s Ability
2. Things Not to Use as Motivation:A. Bribing through incentivesB. Delayed reinforcement (I’ll make it up later)C. Improper substitution (Money vs.
Advancement)D. Pay by quantity or by the hour
3.Things to Use to Motivate: Ask yourself 2 questions –
A. How do I treat people fairlyB. How do I motivate them
i. Strive to make work satisfyingii. Be positive, stress strength not weaknessiii. The job should contain enrichment possibilityiv. You must be “decent to be decent”