4. LEADERSHIP STYLES

LEADERSHIP: DEFINE

The ability to direct or motivate a group of employees towards the business goals

this is different from management, which control and organise all resources (including budgets, workers schedules, equipment required)

LEADERS ARE NOT ALWAYS MANAGERS, HOWEVER, MANAGERS CAN BE GOOD LEADERS

LEADERSHIP: DESCRIBE

All leaders do not possess same attitude or same perspective

• all leaders do not get the things done in same manner

• Style varies

• Leadership style varies with the kind of people the leader interacts and deals with

Common leadership styles include:

• autocratic

• Participative

• Laissez faire

• Situational

Can be:

Boss centred ———————————————————————————————————> employee centred

Task orientated < ——————————————————————————————————— relationship orientated

LEADERSHIP: EXPLAIN

Leadership style a person uses will depend on their level of experience and expertise

• Can be based on their personal traits

• Some people who like the idea of power will lean towards a more autocratic style of leadership

No right or wrong style, depends on factors within business environment:

• internal culture is traditional - more likely to experience autocratic leadership

• Internal employees are professional or high skilled and knowledgeable - more likely to experience a more laissez faire or participative

• External competition is high and business needs to constantly innovate to remain competitive - more likely to experience participative

AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: DEFINE

Assumes complete command and hold over the employees

AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: DESCRIBE

• total control over employees - dominates

• Makes all decisions

• Task orientated - monitors all actions and progress of employees

Eg of autocratic leaders: Steve jobs (apple)

AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: EXPLAIN

• used when there is little margin for error such as dangerous or high risk tasks, also when dealing with inexperienced or unskilled workers

• Allows for quick decisions to be made so that risk is minimised as employees generally do not put forward their views

• For this type of leadership to work effectively, it is important that the leader is fair and acknowledge skills and knowledge of individual employees to build respect

AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: DISCUSS

• advantage is that it leads to speedy decisions making and greater productivity under leader’s supervision

• Drawback: leads to greater employee absenteeism and turnover

• These leaders have increased work burden taking on all responsibility and therefore employees become dependent on leader to always be present

• As employees always told what to do they do not learn to take initiative or problem solve, therefore only performing routine tasks which can lead to lower staff morale and high turnover

PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP: DEFINE

Inviting or encouraging employees to contribute to decision making process

PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP: DESCRIBE

Characteristics: employees and leaders must have high level of communication

• must be socially aware so that employees feel comfortable voicing their opinions

PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP: EXPLAIN

• leader guides the employees on what to perform and how to perform, while employees communicate to the leader their experience and then make suggestions for improvements

• Although employees contribute to the decision making process the final decisions is the responsibility of the leader

• This type of leadership is effectively when dealing with skilled professionals or experienced employees that have something to contribute or in creative environments such as marketing industry

PARTICIPATIVE LEADERSHIP: DISCUSS

• advantages: leads to employee satisfaction, high levels of motivation, productivity and more unskilled employees

• Leads to optimistic work environment and also encourages creativity

• Decisions making in this type f leadership is time consuming as many employees are consulted and feedback listened to and process

LAISSEZ - FAIRE

The leader totally trusts their employees/ team to perform the job themselves

• he just concentrates on the intellectual/rational aspect of his work and does not focus on the management aspect of his work

• The team/employees are welcomed to share their views and provide suggestions which are best for organisational interests

• This leadership style works only when employees are skilled, loyal and experienced and intellectual

SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP: DEFINE

Refers to leader that can adapt their style according to behaviour and skills level of employees

SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP: DESCRIBE

Assumption that the most effective style of leadership changes from situation to situation

• to be most effective and successful a leader must be able to adapt his style and approach to diverse circumstances

SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP: EXPLAIN

• adapts from directing/telling style associated with more autocratic leaders to a participating/coaching style or a delegating/observing style associated with a laissez faire leader

• Leaders adapt their style depending on the willingness and ability of the employee to complete the task

• Eg, a person with little experience and ability or willingness to carry out the tasks will need a more autocratic approach to leadership

SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP: DISCUSS

• difficult to master as it requires a high level of social skills and emotional intelligence as well as leadership skills

• May take years to develop