WHO’S THE BOSS? THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP STYLES

Gabrielle Severson

WHAT IS A LEADERSHIP STYLE?

A leadership style explains the way in which one leads a team.

A leadership style can be determined through the ways that an individual handles the following leadership responsibilities:

Planning a meeting

Keep discussion on track

Summarize the meeting

Gather input from team members

Conclude the meeting

(Zaremba, 2010)

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Knowing your leadership style will help you to

harness the power that your

unique skills and personality traits offer

while also making you aware of how to

most effectively utilize your own

strengths and work effectively with others

who have differing leadership styles than you.

HOW CAN IT HELP YOU?

Communication is affected interpreted differently depending on leadership styleAs a leader, you need to be cognizant of how you are communicating and to whom

Employee satisfactionHappy and healthy workplace environment is formed through effective and appropriate leadership and communication

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?

3 main types

Take the Leadership Styles Questionnaire (Northouse, 2009). http://www.sagepub.com/northouseintro2e/study/resources/questionnaires/89527_03q.pdf

Authoritarian: An unyielding leadership style where the leader makes all decisions and has all control. (Authoritarian Leadership, Zaremba, 2010).

Democratic: “An open approach to leading, where decision making is shared and the views of a team or group are valued and contribute to the vison, goals and decision that are made.” (Defining Leadership, 2013).

Laissez-faire: A very hands-off approach to leadership, it is not typically known as being very effective since the leader makes very little direct impact to decisions that are made. (Cherry, 2015). Laissez-faire leaders delegate most responsibilities to the group members rather than taking care of it themselves (Zaremba, 2010).

AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP STYLE Historical examplesAdolf Hitler, held ultimate control of Nazi regime and made all decisions.

Gender bias and societal implications (Eagly, Johannesen-Schmidt; 2002).

Men much more likely to be authoritative because of their perceived role in society and historically.

Skill sets and personalities favorable to authoritarianism Very confident, Type A, organized, controlling, and uncompromising individuals.

Advantages (Authoritarian Leadership).Works well for urgent or crisis situations, projects that require a lot of structure, control, and

discipline.

Disadvantages (Authoritarian Leadership).Not flexible or inclusiveLittle feedback provided or allowed from participants that are not the leader

Activity-effectively and ineffectively handling a situation authoritatively

ACTIVITY (5 MINUTES)

In groups of 3, create a leadership situation where authoritative leadership would be the best option.

Explain why, making sure to include explanations on dynamics of team members and the specific details of the project or goal at hand that make it most suitable for a authoritative leader.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE

Historical examplesJohn F. Kennedy; charismatic, accepts help and input from others easily, flexible. (Defining Leadership,

2013).

Skill sets and personalities favorable to democratic leadership (Northouse, 2009).Humble, open to input from others, flexible, easy to work with individuals thrive as democratic leaders.

Advantages (Defining Leadership, 2013). Gathering input, creativity, and ideas of multiple participantsShows humility in leader by accepting ideas for solutions from all participantsCreates a common goal and a shared vision among a teamIncreases commitment to a project from all standpoints

Disadvantages (Defining Leadership, 2013). Decision making often takes longer because of gathering input from multiple sourcesSome participants may think that the leader isn’t leading since all parties are asked for input Some participants may not feel confident or comfortable being asked to actively participate

Activity-effectively and ineffectively handling a situation democratically

ACTIVITY (5 MINUTES)

In groups of 3, create a leadership situation where democratic leadership would be the best option.

Explain why, making sure to include explanations on dynamics of team members and the specific details of the project or goal at hand that make it most suitable for a democratic leader.

LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP STYLES Historical examplesWarren Buffet, relies heavily on his team to make independent decisions and trusts their creativity and

guidance (Cherry, 2015).

Gender bias and societal implications (Eagly, Johannesen-Schmidt; 2002).

Women much more likely to be laissez-faire leaders because of their implied inferiority in society by many people and organizations

AdvantagesFosters independence, creativity, and motivation in group membersCultivates intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic motivationIncreases group satisfaction and participation

DisadvantagesLack of guidance can lead to missed deadlines and projects going in a different direction than plannedCan cause a lack of cohesiveness in a team if the leader seems apathetic or unmotivated

Activity-effectively and ineffectively handling a situation laissez-faire

ACTIVITY (5 MINUTES)

In groups of 3, create a leadership situation where laissez-faire leadership would be the best option.

Explain why, making sure to include explanations on dynamics of team members and the specific details of the project or goal at hand that make it most suitable for a laissez-faire leader.

COMBINING THE THREE: DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP Know your strengths and weaknesses If you are a staunch Type A personality, laissez-faire leadership will not suit you well.

If you are a laid back Type B personality who does not like to take charge, do not try to be an authoritative leader.

If you fall somewhere in between, democratic leadership is perfect for you, as it can encompass all types of personalities with the appropriate team members and circumstances.

Know your audienceIf the audience is not participative, authoritatively handling the situation will be most effective.

If the audience is well equipped to handle the project and needs minimal guidance, laissez-faire leadership will yield a positive result.

If the audience is willing and capable to help but needs a participative leader to guide and facilitate discussion while still accepting feedback and alternatives, democratically leading will work best.

WORKS CITED

Authoritarian Leadership: Why and when to use it. (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.educational-business-articles.com/authoritarian-leadership.html

Cherry, K. (2015). What Is Laissez-Faire Leadership? The Pros and Cons. Retrieved May 29, 2015, from http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/f/laissez-faireleadership.htm

Democratic leadership style - getting the best from those around you. (2013). Retrieved May 29, 2015, from http://www.defining-leadership.com/democratic-leadership-style/

Eagly, A., & Johannesen-Schmidt, M. (2002). The Leadership Styles of Women and Men. Journal of Social Issues J Social Isssues, 57(4), 781-797. doi:10.1111/0022-

4537.00241

Northouse, P. (2009). Leadership Styles Questionnaire. In Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (Second ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Zaremba, A. (2010). Management Theory and Organizational Communication, Theoretical Foundations: Systems, Culture, and Power. In Organizational Communication (Third

ed., pp. 30-76). New York: Oxford University Press.