Leadership Styles and their Advantages/Disadvantages

Authoritarian Style

Where the coach makes all the decisions and the players merely do as they are told

Advantages and Disadvantages of Authoritarian

Advantages:

• Efficient as no time is wasted in coming to a consensus decision

• Players know where they stand and what is required

• Can keep athletes safe in dangerous sports

Disadvantages:

• Players may feel discouraged as not involed in decision making

• Lack of ownership or input by athletes

• Players may feel coach is too strict and may be discouraged

Democratic Style

Where the coach involves players in decision making process

Advantages and Disadvantages of Democratic

Advantages:

• Players feel they have a degree of ownership of the team and are more likely to buy into team direction

• Players feel valued by coach

• Coach/team can benefit from different perspectives

Disadvantages:

• Team progression may decline as there are too many opinions on direction team should take so players argue

• Requires players to have experience/knowledge in order to be effective

Casual Style

Where the coach makes very few decisions and allows the players to take ownership and make the decisions

Advantages and Disadvantages of Casual

Advantages:

• Creates a causal and relaxed training environment

• Players take ownership and buy into direction of the team

• Gives experienced players oppurtunity to be creative

Disadvantages:

• There is usually a lack of team direction and player development

• Skill development low with no explicit teaching

• Decision making is slow and disagreements are not easily settled