Leadership Styles
Leadership Styles
Every individual has their own way of leading and managing people when put in a leadership role. It is an important aspect of a leader’s repertoire to be cognizant of their innate abilities, and to further build upon those abilities with education of different leadership styles. By becoming aware of one’s leadership style, there is an ability to see how we can influence colleagues and subordinates in their workplace. This knowledge can also allow us to examine how we can become better leaders in diverse working environments.
Authoritarian Leadership Style
The authoritarian leader makes decisions, directs and closely supervises subordinates to closely carry out their orders (Marquis & Huston, 2012). Characteristics of authoritarian style include: preoccupation with goal achievement, distance between the leader and subordinates, motivation through threats and punishment (Priku, 2011).
There are advantages and disadvantages of this type of leadership. Authoritarian leadership can be useful for rapid decision making, with large groups, high volumes of production, time constraints, and with inexperienced employees (Priku, 2011). Disadvantages can be seen when creativity and participation of employees is diminished, due to the characteristic reticence of subordinates in this type of leadership (Farrell, 2009). An ideal work environment for an authoritarian leader would be prison, military, trauma center, etc. In these environments there is a chain of command and people’s lives can depend upon following strict commands.
Democratic Leadership Style
The democratic leader tends to involve the group in decision making and gives the group the autonomy to determine the work methods, make overall goals known, and uses feedback as an opportunity for helpful coaching (Bartol & Martin, 1998). A democratic leader has less control, and supervision is minimal, thus encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own performances (Marquis &
Every individual has their own way of leading and managing people when put in a leadership role. It is an important aspect of a leader’s repertoire to be cognizant of their innate abilities, and to further build upon those abilities with education of different leadership styles. By becoming aware of one’s leadership style, there is an ability to see how we can influence colleagues and subordinates in their workplace. This knowledge can also allow us to examine how we can become better leaders in diverse working environments.
Authoritarian Leadership Style
The authoritarian leader makes decisions, directs and closely supervises subordinates to closely carry out their orders (Marquis & Huston, 2012). Characteristics of authoritarian style include: preoccupation with goal achievement, distance between the leader and subordinates, motivation through threats and punishment (Priku, 2011).
There are advantages and disadvantages of this type of leadership. Authoritarian leadership can be useful for rapid decision making, with large groups, high volumes of production, time constraints, and with inexperienced employees (Priku, 2011). Disadvantages can be seen when creativity and participation of employees is diminished, due to the characteristic reticence of subordinates in this type of leadership (Farrell, 2009). An ideal work environment for an authoritarian leader would be prison, military, trauma center, etc. In these environments there is a chain of command and people’s lives can depend upon following strict commands.
Democratic Leadership Style
The democratic leader tends to involve the group in decision making and gives the group the autonomy to determine the work methods, make overall goals known, and uses feedback as an opportunity for helpful coaching (Bartol & Martin, 1998). A democratic leader has less control, and supervision is minimal, thus encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own performances (Marquis &
References: Bartol, K., & Martin, D. (1998). Management. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Farrell, N. (2009). What 's Your Leadership Style? Woman Advocate, 7-15. Marquis, B., & Huston, C. (2012). Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing. Philidelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Murray, A. What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership? Retrieved January 10, 2012, from The Wall Street Journal: http://guides.wsj.com/management/developing-a-leadership-style/what-is-the-difference-between-management-and-leadership/ Priku, M. (2011). Management Skills Resourcce Center. Retrieved from Management Skills Advisor: http://www.managementskillsadvisor.com/authoritarian-leadership.html