Leadership styles
HI, EVERYONE. We are pressing on with our syllabus, and this week we will be doing the very interesting topic of leadership. At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
(1) Outline the essential characteristics of a good leader.
(2) Differentiate between the various leadership styles.
Let us begin by looking at a few concepts.
A leader is one who is able to employ the most appropriate strategies for getting work done in order to meet the goals of an organisation. Some people are ‘born’ leaders, others can learn the art, while many can never do so.
Leadership is the motivating of people towards the goals of the organisation.
Leadership style refers to the way in which a person leads.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LEADER
Intelligence: Demonstrating sound reasoning in decision-making.
Judgement: Making decisions on the basis of careful review of all the facts; this also includes character judgement.
Initiative: Being able to act in situations that were not planned.
Dependability: Encouraging followers to be able to depend on those entrusted with leadership to complete tasks efficiently and on time.
Honesty: Gaining respect and inspiring others to do things that normally they would not do.
Courage: Being bold; not afraid or timid.
Confidence: Showing self-confidence often inspires confidence in others.
Understanding: Recognising the feelings of others; praising the success of those led, while being careful to encourage rather than condemn those who fail.
Aggression: Being forceful. However, aggression must have a limit, otherwise it will be counterproductive (people will produce less instead of more) because followers may be alienated, and then the efficiency of the organisation may suffer.
Flexible: Adjusting to difficult situations.
Foresight: Foreseeing things and planning for the future.
LEADERSHIP STYLES
(a) Authoritative/Autocratic: This is a strict leader who normally is the sole decision-maker in the business. This type of leader decides, single-handedly, what to do and how it is done, and disregards whatever others may think. Thus, the autocratic leader believes he/she is the absolute authority on all matters. Subordinates are motivated by the ‘big stick’ method; i.e., the subordinate that does not obey will be punished by lack of promotion, demotion, suspension or dismissal. Problems are invariably the problems of the leaders.
This is an effective type of leadership, as the work is completed just as the leader specified, and usually on time; but it is inefficient, since employee input and initiative are discouraged and, therefore, bad interpersonal relationships occur, with the result of rapid turnover in the organisation.
(b) Laissez-faire/Free Reign: The leader stands back and lets his subordinates plan their own work and take their own decisions as far as possible. The leader gives little or no direction to workers. Employees are given broad directions on tasks to be accomplished and are left to find their own methods, make their own decisions, and draw up plans to achieve objectives.
This style is normally practised in creative productions and services such as in the graphics departments of advertising agencies.
A variety of ideas are placed in production input. However, employees may become too dormant and inefficient if left too much on their own.
(c) Democratic/Participative: This is most popular with workers. Those likely to be affected by a decision are consulted before the decision is made. The leader reserves the right not to accept the majority view. Those lower down become involved and interested in the policy.
This tends to slow down decision-making and is expensive in staff time. However, employees are comfortable in the working environment because of the interchanging of ideas and variety of opinions. This style tends, therefore, to be efficient.
(d) Charismatic: A charismatic leader is one who is able to lead simply by reason of his or her outstanding personality or character. The leader adopts a high level of persuasion and is able to convince subordinates to carry out tasks. This type of leader is relatively rare, but can be very successful in motivating others to do things to support them.
A leader may combine any of these styles as circumstances dictate. No single leadership style is best for all occasions (explain). It is generally assumed, however, that the democratic style is best to yield long-term efficiency and productivity.
Since you will be required to discuss these leadership styles, it would be to your advantage to do some research and make brief notes on the advantages and disadvantages of each leadership style.
Next week, the lesson will discuss the problems that surround internal conflict in the business place. Keep well until that time.