Pros and cons Of the Style Approach

Theories of Leadership in Management

In 2005, leadership expert john Maxwell identified influence as the true measure of leadership. This role of a leader is, eventually, to influence team members to accomplish a given task  while fostering team cohesion and motivation, In 1939, social scientist  kurt Lewin applied his theories to organization  development and identified three leadership styles : authoritarian, participative/democratic and laissez - faire. Each style   assists the manager in adopting the right approach according to the context of a given situation.

Authoritarian Leader

An authoritarian leader adopts a dominant and dictatorial approach when leading his team members, Authoritarian leadership enforces authority by strict rules and procedures rather than encouraging teamwork. An Authoritarian leadership style first best in urgent and stressful situations. Such situation call for a firm and resolute leader who is able to make decisions  without consulting team members, However, an autocratic leader can easily cultivate passive resistance in his followers, resulting in lower performance from team members.   

pros	cons
It allows for fast decisions to be made.  It improves overall communication.  It improves productivity.   It handles crisis situations effectively.   It reduces employee stress.   It counters team inexperience.	It often leads to micromanagement.  It does not offer a sense of professional ownership.  It creates a work culture based on the leader.   It creates a system of dependence.   It creates a lack of trust.

  Democratic Leader

The democratic or Democratic leader involves team members in the decision making process. He fosters participation among his followers and aims to provide guidance rather than authority. This type of leadership aims to motivate and empower team members. The focus on participation and group decision - making creates a sense of belonging in the team. At times, however, the democratic leader can be perceived as insecure and unable to come to a final decision without first consulting his followers,

pros

cons

Iworks well when trying to solve a complex concern It encourages creativity It strengthens the relationships of a team  It is a leadership style that anyone can practice It encourages honesty within the workplace  It improves job satisfaction It encourages stronger commitment levels  It increases team knowledge   It builds a stronger vision for the future

It can create negative emotions            It can lead to procrastination            It takes time to reach a consensus            It offers an element of continuing uncertainty            It is often poorly defined           It does not guarantee the best possible solution           It is not a style of leadership for everyone            It can cause team members to question the capabilities of the leadership            It encourages no one to take responsibility for failure            It requires a certain skill or educational level

Laissez - Faire Leader

The laissez - faire or free reign leader scarcely provide direction to his team members. Control in the group is minimal; authority is shared among members. The free reign approach can prove an effective type of leadership when the team has achieved identity and cohesion, resulting in motivated and resourceful team members. In such situations the sharing of authority and minimal direction empowers team members. The lack of direction in laissez - faire leadership, though, can result in demotivated team members. Team members can feel lost and unsupported by their leader.

pros

cons

·         It allows team members to maximize their own leadership skills. ·         It provides the people with the most experience to shine. ·         It creates an environment of independence. ·         It encourages team members to explore new ideas. ·         It allows individual teams to create their own environment. ·         It generates more individual satisfaction for the work being done.         It provides the leader to be strategic with their skills

·         It downplays the role of the leader on the team. ·         It reduces the cohesiveness of the group. ·         It changes how accountability is assigned within the group. ·         It allows leaders to avoid leadership. ·         It is a leadership style which employees can abuse. ·         It can be difficult to adapt to changing situations. ·         It creates opportunities for employee litigation. ·         It creates silos.

References

Journal of Docial Psychology "Patterns of Aggressive Behavior in Experimentally Created Social Climates" Lewin. K. Lippit, R. And White, R,K, 1939

"the 360-Degree Leader : Developing Your Influence From Anywhere in the Organization" John C. Maxwell. 2005