Leadership styles encompass the behavioral qualities of a leader. These qualities are commonly used to direct, motivate, or manage groups of people. Some of the most recognized leadership styles include Autocratic, Democratic, or Laissez-Faire leadership styles.
Understanding leadership styles
While there are many great leaders in the world, each leader could attribute their success to a somewhat unique blend of qualities.
Some of these qualities are expressions of a leader’s personality, while others are embodied by the organization itself.
As a result, little was known about leadership styles until a 1939 study led by psychologist Kurt Lewin. In the study, Lewin identified three distinct styles:
Authoritarian leadership (Autocratic)
Encompassing leaders who provide clear expectations on what needs to be done and how it should be performed.
Authoritarian leaders make decisions independently and exercise total control over subordinates.
This form of leadership is suited to situations that call for rapid decision making or where the leader is the most knowledgeable person in a group.
However, these decisions tend to be lacking in creativity and can cause dysfunctional, hostile environments.
Participative leadership (Democratic)
Lewin found that participative leadership was the most effective.
Leaders exhibiting this style offer guidance to subordinates while encouraging member input – which tends to be of a higher quality.
Although the leader reserves the right to make the final decision, subordinates nonetheless feel engaged in the decision-making process.
As a result, they are more likely to work toward company goals with commitment and passion.
Delegative leadership (Laissez-Faire)
The least productive of Lewin’s three leadership styles.
Study participants tended to make unreasonable demands of the leader and did not display cooperation or the ability to work independently.
Indeed, delegative leaders mostly leave the decision-making process to group members.
While this style is commonly seen in start-ups, poorly defined roles usually lead to a lack of motivation and group consensus.
Without adequate leadership, subordinates lack accountability and make little progress in producing meaningful work.
Additional leadership styles
In the decades since the original Lewin study, several other leadership styles have been identified to reflect modern, dynamic businesses.
Some may deliberately choose to adopt a mix of several different styles depending on the context.
Some of the more common include:
Transformational leadership
First developed during the late 1970s and seen as one of the most effective modern styles.
Leaders are typically passionate and emotionally intelligent.
Transformational leaders have a vested interest in their subordinates and the company as a whole.
They also tend to delegate important tasks and inspire others with infectious enthusiasm.
Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs exemplify the transformational leadership style.
Transactional leadership
Where subordinates obey their leader on the proviso that they are compensated for doing so.
Job satisfaction is typically low under transactional leadership because compensation can be removed for non-compliance.
Many experts view this form of leadership as a management style because the focus is on short-term tasks.
Some military commanders and professional sports coaches use transactional leadership.
Pacesetter leadership
The most effective at delivering fast results.
Pacesetter leaders focus on setting high-performance standards and hold subordinates accountable for achieving goals.
Given the motivational nature of the style, it is better suited to fast-paced, high-pressure environments where employee energy needs to be high.
Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch is a great example of pacesetter leadership. Welch believes that leaders need to focus on setting a good example and be obsessed with efficiency.
Key takeaways
- Leadership styles encompass certain behavioral qualities that are used to motivate or manage subordinates.
- Leadership styles were first studied by psychologist Kurt Lewin in 1939. The results of his study found that leadership could either be authoritative, participative, or delegative in nature.
- Leadership styles have evolved since the original study to encompass modern businesses that may need to exhibit more than one leadership style. Transformational leadership, embodied by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, is widely regarded as one of the most effective.
Key Highlights
- Authoritarian Leadership (Autocratic):
- Description: In this style, leaders make decisions independently and provide clear directions to subordinates. They maintain strict control over the decision-making process and expect subordinates to follow instructions without question.
- Suitability: Effective in situations requiring quick decisions, especially when the leader possesses specialized knowledge.
- Advantages: Quick decision-making, clear direction, efficiency in execution.
- Disadvantages: Lack of creativity, limited input from team members, potential for creating a hostile environment.
- Participative Leadership (Democratic):
- Description: Participative leaders seek input and opinions from team members before making decisions. While they retain the final say, they actively involve employees in the decision-making process.
- Suitability: Ideal for situations where diverse perspectives are valuable and decisions require collective insight.
- Advantages: Higher-quality decisions, increased engagement, improved team morale, commitment from team members.
- Disadvantages: Slower decision-making process, potential for conflicts among team members.
- Delegative Leadership (Laissez-Faire):
- Description: Delegative leaders empower team members to make decisions and exercise autonomy. They provide minimal guidance and allow employees to take ownership of their tasks.
- Suitability: Works well when team members are skilled, self-motivated, and require independence to perform effectively.
- Advantages: Encourages autonomy and innovation, can lead to improved decision-making and work quality.
- Disadvantages: Lack of clear direction, potential for lack of cohesion among team members, and low accountability.
- Transformational Leadership:
- Description: Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their team by fostering a sense of purpose and shared vision. They encourage personal growth and development among team members.
- Suitability: Effective in creating positive organizational culture and driving significant change.
- Advantages: High levels of employee engagement, increased motivation, innovation, and a strong sense of purpose.
- Disadvantages: Requires strong interpersonal skills, can be exhausting for leaders if not balanced.
- Transactional Leadership:
- Description: Transactional leaders focus on tasks, organization, and performance. They use rewards and punishments to motivate employees to achieve specific goals.
- Suitability: Suitable for routine tasks and situations that require compliance and structure.
- Advantages: Clear expectations, well-defined roles, efficient execution of tasks.
- Disadvantages: Limited focus on long-term development and innovation, potential for low job satisfaction.
- Pacesetter Leadership:
- Description: Pacesetter leaders set high-performance standards and lead by example. They hold team members accountable for achieving goals and aim for fast results.
- Suitability: Effective in fast-paced, results-driven environments where quick accomplishments are crucial.
- Advantages: Drives rapid progress, encourages a competitive spirit among team members.
- Disadvantages: Can lead to burnout, potential for neglecting long-term development and collaboration.
- Servant Leadership:
- Description: Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team members above their own. They focus on supporting and enabling their team’s growth, well-being, and success.
- Suitability: Effective in building strong relationships, fostering a positive culture, and promoting employee satisfaction.
- Advantages: High employee engagement, loyalty, and trust, creates a positive work environment.
- Disadvantages: Can be perceived as weak or ineffective in certain environments, requires a strong foundation of empathy and selflessness.
- Charismatic Leadership:
- Description: Charismatic leaders use their personal charm and appeal to inspire and influence their team. They often have a strong vision that they communicate persuasively.
- Suitability: Effective in situations where inspiration and enthusiasm are crucial, such as rallying teams around a vision.
- Advantages: Inspires passion and commitment, can create a strong following.
- Disadvantages: Relies heavily on the leader’s personality, potential for over-reliance on one individual.
- Situational Leadership:
- Description: Situational leaders adapt their leadership style based on the specific situation, context, and the maturity level of their team members.
- Suitability: Effective in dynamic environments where different tasks and team members require varying approaches.
- Advantages: Flexibility and adaptability, better alignment with the needs of the situation and team.
- Disadvantages: Requires a deep understanding of various leadership styles and when to apply them.
- Coaching Leadership:
- Description: Coaching leaders focus on the development and growth of their team members. They provide guidance, feedback, and opportunities for skill enhancement.
- Suitability: Effective for cultivating talent, fostering learning, and promoting career development.
- Advantages: Enhances skill development, builds strong relationships, promotes long-term growth.
- Disadvantages: Requires time and effort to provide individualized coaching, may not be suitable for all situations.
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Functional
Divisional
Open Organizational Structures
Matrix
Flat
Connected Business Frameworks
Nadler-Tushman Congruence Model
McKinsey’s Seven Degrees of Freedom
Organizational Structure Case Studies
Airbnb Organizational Structure
Facebook Organizational Structure
Google Organizational Structure
Tesla Organizational Structure
McDonald’s Organizational Structure
Walmart Organizational Structure
Microsoft Organizational Structure
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