Roles & Significance of the Leadership-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Describe the characteristics of the 3 leadership styles: Directive / Authoritative, Participative / Democratic and Rein Free / Laissez Faire. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each leadership style? Answer: Introduction The report talks about the roles and significance of the leadership. It explains that how leadership styles play a significant role in todays era to influence the subordinates. It describes the characteristics of the autocratic leadership, democratic and laissez-faire leadership style. Along with this, it also explains the advantages and disadvantages of the various leadership styles. Further, some examples of the leadership have been explained in the report. None of the organization can survive its business activities and operations without using effective and dynamic leadership styles. Characteristics of leadership styles Leadership is the ability to influence the behavior of the other people in the organization. It is the function of the management. The organization uses various types of leadership styles to influence the subordinates at the workplace. The leadership styles include Directive leadership style, Authoritative, participative, democratic and rein free leadership style. The characteristics of leadership styles have been discussed below (Gardner, Cogliser, Davis Dickens, 2011). Characteristics of Authoritative leadership style The authoritative leadership style is centered on the boss. It is also known as a autocratic leadership style. Under this leadership style, leaders hold all the responsibilities and authorities. The leaders can take their decisions own without consulting with subordinates within the organization. They maintain communication and coordination with subordinates in order to meet the goals and objectives of the firm. The characteristics of the authoritative leadership style have been discussed below (Rast III, Hogg Giessner, 2013). All the important and effective decisions are taken by the leaders. The leaders do not get the input from the subordinates and group members. The rules and policies are significant under this leadership style and clearly communicated to the others. All the responsibilities and authorities are taken by the leaders in authoritative leadership style. One way communication system is used by the leaders under authoritative leadership style. Authoritative leaders mistrust their employees capabilities and competencies (Raelin, 2011). Characteristics of democratic/ participative leadership style In democratic leadership style, subordinates are involved in the decisions. This leadership style is centered on the subordinates. This democratic leadership style plays a significant role in order to meet the long-term mission and vision of the firm. The leaders acquired final responsibilities and they delegate the power and authorities to the subordinates. The characteristics of the democratic leadership style have been discussed below. It is also known as a participative leadership style. It is one of the dynamic and effective leadership styles and it also helps to create productivity and efficiency. It helps to increase the moral and satisfaction of the workers. The leaders promote and encourage the interest of the employees and group members. They maintain effective downward and upward communication (Bhatti, Maitlo, Shaikh, Hashmi Shaikh, 2012). Laissez-faire / Rein free leadership style It is important and effective leadership style to motivate and enhance the productivity and efficiency of the employees. Under this leadership style, leaders assign authorities and responsibilities to the subordinates. It satisfies the needs, requirements, and expectations of the employees. The characteristics of the laissez fair leadership style have been discussed below. The managers and leaders give full freedom to their subordinates and group members to take important and effective decisions within the organization. The leaders maintain a free flow of communication in the organization. The managers do not use power and authorities but they maintain contact with group members. The laissez fair leadership style helps to develop and build independent personality (Chaudhry Javed, 2012). Advantages and disadvantages of leadership styles The advantages of the authoritative leadership style have been discussed below. The directive leadership style provides reward and motivation for the leaders. Quick and effective decisions are taken by the leaders. The subordinates are not involved in the decision-making There is no initiative and schemes are required under this leadership style. The strong chain of command is possible under authoritative leadership style (De Hoogh, Greer Den Hartog, 2015). The disadvantages of the authoritative leadership style have been discussed below. The people do not like this leadership style because it does not motivate the employees. It develops and builds frustration, conflict and low morale among the employees. The managers do not motivate the subordinates under this leadership style. Thus, they are called poor motivators. The leaders do not give freedom to the subordinates. It is one of the biggest disadvantages of the directive leadership style (Piccolo, Bono, Heinitz, Rowold, Duehr, Judge, 2012). The advantages of the democratic/ participative leadership style have been discussed below. The employees share their ideas, thoughts, and opinion with subordinates and they provide responsibilities to them to make the effective and unique decisions. The participative leadership style is suitable for every business. It helps to provide effective solutions to complex issues and problems. This leadership style helps to reduce the conflict and resistant to change within the organization. It helps to maintain a favorable working environment within the organization. It also helps to reduce employee turnover and absenteeism in the organization in order to expand and explore the business. The quality of decisions and choices are improved by using participative leadership style (Ogbeide Harrington, 2011). The disadvantages of the democratic/ participate leadership style have been discussed below. It is very time-consuming leadership style. Thus, it affects the decision-making It is less effective leadership style. This leadership style affects the morale and self-respect of the leaders. Therefore, it creates confusion and conflicts in the organization (Finley, 2011). The advantages of the Rein free/ Laissez-faire leadership style have been discussed below. It helps to provide moral, job security and job satisfaction to the employees. This leadership style provides a chance to take initiative to the employees. The subordinates can develop their skills and knowledge by using Laissez-faire leadership style (Saeed, Almas, Anis-ul-Haq Niazi, 2014). The disadvantages of laissez-faire leadership have been discussed below. Under this leadership style, the employees do not follow leadership. The employees do not get the support and guidance of the leaders within the organization. The subordinates move in different direction. Therefore, it creates problems and key challenges in the organization (Wong Giessner, 2015). Examples when each of the styles is appropriate For example, XYZ hypothetical company can use autocratic leadership style when quick and important decisions are needed and when poor performance and efficiency of the employees need to be corrected within the organization (Hackman Johnson, 2013). It is good for the inexperienced and unmotivated workers. During the times of contingencies and emergencies like an interruption of communication lines, and unexpected power outrages, the company uses autocratic leadership style to increase the revenue and profit of the company. If there is a time pressure and the company needs to take immediate decisions then the company can use autocratic leadership style within the organization. Ridley Scott, Roger Ailes, and John Chambers are the example of the autocratic leaders. Further, many manufacturing industry, the music industry, and restaurants use autocratic leadership style. Along with this, many other companies use autocratic leadership style to enhance and increase the productivity and eff iciency of the subordinates (Hackman Johnson, 2013). On the other hand, many firms use democratic/ participative leadership style to influence and control over the subordinates in the organization. For example, hospitals, labs, the pharmaceutical industry and high tech firms use democratic leadership style within the organization. Apart from this, Google, Amazon.com and Mayo clinic companies use this leadership style while conducting its business activities and operations globally. Indra Nooyi, Tommy Lasorda, and Ginni Rometty are the democratic leaders. Further, if the company wants to share and exchange idea, thoughts and strategies then the company can use democratic leadership style. The company provides motivation by using democratic leadership style (Harris, 2011). The organization uses Laissez-faire leadership style when staff members are highly skilled, capable and motivated in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the firm. In addition, merchandisers and retail buyers are an example of the effective and unique laissez-faire leadership style. Along with this, product manager works under laissez-faire leadership. There are various projects completed under the laissez-faire leadership style. Herbert Hoover, Andrew Mellon, and warren buffet are the lassiez fair leaders. The company uses this leadership style when they want to provide job satisfaction and job security to the subordinates (Buch, Martinsen Kuvaas, 2015). Conclusion On the above aforesaid information, it has been concluded that leadership plays a significant and effective role in every organization in order to enhance and increase the productivity and efficiency of the employees. There are various types of leadership style like democratic, autocratic, laissez-faire and transformational leadership styles. Leadership styles are used by the leaders to maintain control over the subordinates. Various advantages and disadvantages have been explained in the report References Bhatti, N., Maitlo, G. M., Shaikh, N., Hashmi, M. A., Shaikh, F. M. (2012). The impact of autocratic and democratic leadership style on job satisfaction.International Business Research,5(2), 192. Buch, R., Martinsen, . L., Kuvaas, B. (2015). The destructiveness of laissez-faire leadership behavior: The mediating role of economic leadermember exchange relationships.Journal of Leadership Organizational Studies,22(1), 115-124. Chaudhry, A. Q., Javed, H. (2012). Impact of transactional and laissez faire leadership style on motivation.International Journal of Business and Social Science,3(7). De Hoogh, A. H., Greer, L. L., Den Hartog, D. N. (2015). Diabolical dictators or capable commanders? An investigation of the differential effects of autocratic leadership on team performance.The Leadership Quarterly,26(5), 687-701. Finley, A. (2011). Civic learning and democratic engagements: A review of the literature on civic engagement in post-secondary education.Unpublished paper. Accessed March,12, 2012. Gardner, W. L., Cogliser, C. C., Davis, K. M., Dickens, M. P. (2011). Authentic leadership: A review of the literature and research agenda.The Leadership Quarterly,22(6), 1120-1145. Hackman, M. Z., Johnson, C. E. (2013).Leadership: A communication perspective. Waveland Press. Harris, A. (2011). Distributed leadership: Implications for the role of the principal.Journal of Management Development,31(1), 7-17. Ogbeide, G. C. A., Harrington, R. J. (2011). The relationship among participative management style, strategy implementation success, and financial performance in the foodservice industry.International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,23(6), 719-738. Piccolo, R. F., Bono, J. E., Heinitz, K., Rowold, J., Duehr, E., Judge, T. A. (2012). The relative impact of complementary leader behaviors: Which matter most?.The leadership quarterly,23(3), 567-581. Raelin, J. (2011). From leadership-as-practice to leaderful practice.Leadership,7(2), 195-211. Rast III, D. E., Hogg, M. A., Giessner, S. R. (2013). Self-uncertainty and support for autocratic leadership.Self and Identity,12(6), 635-649. Saeed, T., Almas, S., Anis-ul-Haq, M., Niazi, G. S. K. (2014). Leadership styles: relationship with conflict management styles.International Journal of Conflict Management,25(3), 214-225. Wong, S. I., Giessner, S. R. (2015). The thin line between empowering and laissez-faire leadership: An expectancy-match perspective.Journal of Management, 0149206315574597.