The variety of leadership styles:

• Some business leaders are autocratic- they prefer to tell their teams exactly what to do

• Other business leaders prefer a much more democratic, participative approach, joining with employees in decision-making

• and others are somewhere in between

Tannenbaum and Schmidt Continuum:

• 1958: ‘Contingency theorists’ Robert Tannenbaum and Warren Schmidt

• Suggested a ‘continuum’ of leadership behaviour

• Continuum represents a range of actions related to the

  • Degree of authority used by the manager

  • Area of freedom available to non-managers

Four stages of leadership:

1. Tells: The leader identifies problems, makes decisions and announces to subordinates; expects implementation

2. Sells: The leader still makes decisions, but attempts to overcome resistance through discussion and persuasion

3. Consults: The leader identifies the problem and presents it to the group. Listens to advice and suggestions before making a decision

4. Joins: The leader defines the problem and passes on the solving and decision-making to the group (which the manager is part of)

Tell is more autocratic