What Type
Of Leader Are You ?
hether you ’ re running a small start-up business or a large multinational corporation , leadership is key to your success . Yet for something which is so important , it ’ s interesting to note that there ’ s no single correct way of approaching it .
Many psychologists have attempted over the years to define the different types of leaders . However , the majority of these have evolved from an original concept that was created by Karl Lewin in the 1930s . Here ’ s an overview of the three different types of leadership which are just as relevant today .
AUTOCRATIC LEADERS An autocratic leader is one who makes decisions on their own , acting swiftly and without consulting anyone else . They like to retain control over all the decision making and rarely , if ever , accept input from elsewhere .
This style of leadership tends to be very rigid and highly structured , with clear rules that are well-communicated to all concerned .
Having an autocratic leader can be useful in a small group that would otherwise drift without firm direction . It ’ s also perfect for situations where a decision needs to be made quickly . However , it can be demoralizing for workers , and the leader may be viewed as bossy , difficult , and controlling . This can lead to a high turnover of staff or absenteeism as workers don ’ t feel valued or included .
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS Also known as participative leadership , democratic leaders are often viewed as the most effective . While still retaining overall responsibility for decision making , democratic leaders encourage creativity and participation from all members of the group .
As a result of this inclusive atmosphere , workers are more likely to feel encouraged and to experience high levels of job satisfaction , which in turn creates improved productivity .
There are nevertheless some negatives to this leadership style , which include an inability to respond quickly . The democratic process isn ’ t a fast one , and projects may falter if group members feel underqualified to contribute effectively .
LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERS Often viewed negatively by others from a more structured environment , laissez-faire leaders use a far more relaxed approach by handing over control to others . A hands-off approach gives team members the freedom to manage their own time and achieve results in the way they personally prefer . Laissez-faire leaders remain available to provide support as needed , but they don ’ t interfere in day-to-day task management .
Despite the negative publicity , laissezfaire leaders work extremely well when the team members are knowledgeable , experienced , and self-motivated . Giving individuals the autonomy to selfmanage can provide high levels of job satisfaction and create trust . When it doesn ’ t work so well , productivity can drop and workers may start to avoid the jobs they dislike .
WHAT TYPE OF LEADER
ARE YOU ? Do you recognize yourself in any of the above three descriptions ? Although most people will have a natural inclination towards a particular style , the most effective leaders blend a combination of all three . Knowing what type of leadership style to use in any given situation can create the best possible results and leave team members feeling supported and satisfied . +
22 LEADERSHIP TYPE
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