Leadership

Leadership Styles

Autocratic (also known as “Traditional”)

Democratic (also known as “Modern”, or “Participative”)

Open (or “Free Rein”)

Autocratic Style-Advantages

Gives clear, precise directionsEmployees do not make decisionsEmployees know exactly what the manager

expectsIf in doubt about how to do something-

consult the managerAssumes that employees cannot or will not

want to make any decisions.

Autocratic Style-Disadvantages

Discourages employees from thinking of better or improved way to do the work.

Can lead to employee dissatisfaction or boredom.

Human Relations problemsDoes not prepare employees for leadership

opportunities or promotion.

Autocratic Style

Most Effective when:--there is an emergency(think doctors, fireman,

military)--managing large numbers of inexperienced or

temporary employees--there is a situation when fast decisions must

be made

Democratic Style-Advantages

Encourages workers to share in making decisions about work and problems

Communication and discussion is importantEmployees are encouraged to participate in

planning, working, and solving problemsMakes employees fell like active participantsMakes employees feel more highly motivated

and therefore they do not have to be highly supervised.

Democratic Style-Disadvantages

Some people prefer to be told what to do rather than participate in decisions

Not good for employees who just want to “do the work” for which they were hired

Time consumingNot effective in a job where the tasks are

fairly routine

Democratic Style

Most Effective when:--employees are committed to their job and

looking for more responsibility--managing experienced, well trained,

knowledgeable workers--when there is a special problem and the

manager wants to gather as many helpful ideas as possible

Open Style-Advantages

Gives little or no direction to employeesEmployees understand the work needs to be

done and have the skills and resources to accomplish it.

Methods, details, and decisions are left to the employee or team

Open Style-Disadvantages

Not good in situations that require teamworkNot good when working with inexperienced

employees or those that lack confidenceEmployees must be highly motivated and

responsible

Open Style

Most Effective When:--employees are spread out, such as those

that work out of their homes--you are in a business where few major

changes occur--employees don’t need to interact with

others to accomplish their job--employees are highly knowledgeable

Leadership Styles

Most managers exhibit a combination of all of these types of leadership styles depending on the situation.

Managers need to understand what management style will encourage their employees to work effectively

Power and the Manager

Power

Leaders are able to accomplish goals based upon the POWER that they have with their group, and how they obtained or use that power.

Types of Power

RewardReferent

LegitimateInformation

ExpertConnection

Coercive

Reward

Based on a leaders ability to give rewards and positive consequences if people do what is asked of them.

Example: A mother promises a child a piece of candy if she will be quiet. The potential for reward motivates the child.

Referent

Based on a leaders likability. People often want to do what the leaders asks because they like or admire them.

Example: An adult that you admire encourages you to take business classes. You take business classes because you want to impress or be like this person

Legitimate

Based on a leader’s position as one that gives the leader power

Example: A police officer asks you to stop your car when you are speeding. You probably will!

Information

Based on a leader’s control of or access to information

Example: A teacher knows what the principals view is on dress code. Some students look to the teacher for leadership when trying to present a proposal about dress code changes to the principal

Expert

Based on a leaders expertise, skill, and knowledge

Example: Why do you go to a doctor when you are sick? Because a doctor has the EXPERTISE to make a decision about your illness.

Connection

Based on who a leader knows

You know that your next door neighbor works at Toyota Center and can get discounted tickets. Your friends often look to you to “use your connections” to get tickets.

Coercive

Based on a leaders ability to invoke fear in people.

Example: Your father has told you he will take away your cell phone if you make a bad grade.

Exercise

Blog Post:

Name a leader that you admire. This can be ANY type of leader, like a teacher, government official, pastor, club sponsor, etc. What type of power (or powers) make this leader so admirable to you? How does this leaders use his or her power in a positive manner to motivate others?