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There are four different styles of leadership:
1. Autocratic (or authoritarian) management.
These types of managers like to make all of the important decisions and closely supervise and control workers. The manager does not trust workers and simply give orders without communicating.
This style of management has limitations (as highlighted by motivational theorists such as Mayo) but can be effective in certain situations such as in time of crisis or when controlling large numbers of low skilled workers.
2. Democratic management.
These types of managers will put trust in employees and encourage them to make decisions. They will delegate to them the authority to do so (empowerment) and listen to their advice. This requires good two – way communication and often involves democratic discussion groups.
Managers must be willing to encourage leadership skills in subordinates.
This system occurs when decisions are based upon the majority view of most workers. This is not really possible though in the business world and one criticism of this style is that decisions take longer to make.
This style of management has close links with Maslow’s higher order skills.
3. Laissez – faire leadership.
In this style of management the leader’s role is peripheral and staff manage their own areas of the business. The leader evades the duties of management and uncoordinated delegation occurs. The communication in this style is equal by all parties but the amount of communication is less then in other styles of leadership.
This style brings out the best in highly professional and creative groups of employees but in many cases it is not deliberate and just a result of poor management. This can lead to a lack of staff focus and sense of direction, which in turn can lead to a poor company image.
4. Paternalistic style.
This style of management is dictatorial, but the decisions tend to be in the best interests of the employees rather than the business.
The leader explains most decisions to the group and ensures that their social and leisure needs are met, This can help to balance out the lack of worker motivation caused by an autocratic management style. Feedback is generally downward, but feedback to the management will occur in order for the employees to be kept happy. This style can be highly advantageous and can allow you to gain loyalty from the employees.
This style can mean that employees become highly dependent on the leader until the wrong decision is made and then the employees will become dissatisfied with the leader.
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