Leadership Styles

An Effective Manager is Concerned About…. Getting the Job Done Employee Satisfaction … a good manager can balance these two concerns

Autocratic Positives Manager takes control of all situations and dictates how things are to be done. Positives useful when quick decisions and close control are necessary good at first (easier to loosen reigns than tighten them) good for sub-par employees or for jobs with less skill

Autocratic Negatives Manager takes control of all situations and dictates how things are to be done. Negatives employees may become “overdependent” on this manager can lead to backlash or conflict inhibits creativity

Democratic Consults with employees and involves them in decision making and problem solving Positives builds team spirit through involvement increases employee job satisfaction employees function better when manager is absent

Democratic Consults with employees and involves them in decision making and problem solving Negatives often slows down decision making and even production hard to be “boss” sometimes only effective if employees are worthy

Gives employees full freedoms, letting them do as they wish. Laissez-Faire Gives employees full freedoms, letting them do as they wish. Positives useful when employees are highly skilled can build independence and self-confidence good teaching tool if followed up by discussion and review

Gives employees full freedoms, letting them do as they wish. Laissez-Faire Gives employees full freedoms, letting them do as they wish. Negatives loose organization with lack of control low level of respect and authority when needed no guidance can reduce output or increase inefficiencies

Autocratic, Democratic & Laissez-Faire…. A combination of all three, used at the right time, leads to the best results

Tips for Being an Effective Leader get to know your employees as individuals reward their efforts (publicly and privately) ask for input and feedback when appropriate (makes employees feel responsible)

Tips for Being an Effective Leader give feedback (good and bad) listen to complaints and take action when appropriate be straight forward and honest earn respect....don’t demand it

Leadership Communication Task all three types of leadership styles can be effective or ineffective given different circumstances your task is to write about three people, you know of, that possess each of the three leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire) they may be managers, teachers, coaches, etc.

Leadership Communication Task For each leadership style state the person you are describing and their position, role, etc… Describe why you think the person possesses that leadership style (use stories, examples, etc…) Describe your performance under that leadership style (positive and/or negative). Did you work well or poorly under this leadership style and why?