Leadership Styles

Autocratic

Autocratic leader is in full control

Does not ask for input from employees

Makes all decisions

Autocratic Usefulness

• Emergencies/when decisions must be made quickly

• Difficult/unpopular decisions that should not include employee input

  • Eg layoffs

Autocratic Drawbacks

• Employees don’t generally like this style

• Employees feel undervalued; unhappy

LAISSEZ-FAIRE

This leader leaves the employees alone to do their job

LAISSEZ-FAIRE Usefulness

Good in situations where employees are very experienced in this work and mature/knowledgeable

LAISSEZ-FAIRE Drawbacks

Does not work well for new/inexperienced/immature employees

All employees need feedback and occasional guidance

Without feedback they can become directionless/unmotivated

Democratic

Democratic leader gives employees opportunities to contribute to decision-making.

Encourage staff, recognize achievement,

Employees feel appreciated; productivity increases.

Democratic Usefulness

This is the most effective style (if not in one of the scenarios listed above eg layoffs)

Democratic Drawbacks

This method takes more time

If decisions must be made quickly/emergency would be a challenge to use this method