Leadership

Leadership Styles Autocratic (also known as “Traditional”) Democratic (also known as “Modern”, or “Participative”) Open (or “Free Rein”)

Autocratic Style-Advantages Gives clear, precise directions Employees do not make decisions Employees know exactly what the manager expects If in doubt about how to do something-consult the manager Assumes that employees cannot or will not want to make any decisions.

Autocratic Style-Disadvantages Discourages employees from thinking of better or improved way to do the work. Can lead to employee dissatisfaction or boredom. Human Relations problems Does not prepare employees for leadership opportunities or promotion.

Autocratic Style Most Effective when: --there is an emergency(think doctors, fireman, military) --managing large numbers of inexperienced or temporary employees --there is a situation when fast decisions must be made

Democratic Style-Advantages Encourages workers to share in making decisions about work and problems Communication and discussion is important Employees are encouraged to participate in planning, working, and solving problems Makes employees fell like active participants Makes employees feel more highly motivated and therefore they do not have to be highly supervised.

Democratic Style-Disadvantages Some people prefer to be told what to do rather than participate in decisions Not good for employees who just want to “do the work” for which they were hired Time consuming Not effective in a job where the tasks are fairly routine

Democratic Style Most Effective when: --employees are committed to their job and looking for more responsibility --managing experienced, well trained, knowledgeable workers --when there is a special problem and the manager wants to gather as many helpful ideas as possible

Open Style-Advantages Gives little or no direction to employees Employees understand the work needs to be done and have the skills and resources to accomplish it. Methods, details, and decisions are left to the employee or team

Open Style-Disadvantages Not good in situations that require teamwork Not good when working with inexperienced employees or those that lack confidence Employees must be highly motivated and responsible

Open Style Most Effective When: --employees are spread out, such as those that work out of their homes --you are in a business where few major changes occur --employees don’t need to interact with others to accomplish their job --employees are highly knowledgeable

Leadership Styles Most managers exhibit a combination of all of these types of leadership styles depending on the situation. Managers need to understand what management style will encourage their employees to work effectively

Power and the Manager

Power Leaders are able to accomplish goals based upon the POWER that they have with their group, and how they obtained or use that power.

Types of Power Reward Referent Legitimate Information Expert Connection Coercive

Reward Based on a leaders ability to give rewards and positive consequences if people do what is asked of them. Example: A mother promises a child a piece of candy if she will be quiet. The potential for reward motivates the child.

Referent Based on a leaders likability. People often want to do what the leaders asks because they like or admire them. Example: An adult that you admire encourages you to take business classes. You take business classes because you want to impress or be like this person

Legitimate Based on a leader’s position as one that gives the leader power Example: A police officer asks you to stop your car when you are speeding. You probably will!

Information Based on a leader’s control of or access to information Example: A teacher knows what the principals view is on dress code. Some students look to the teacher for leadership when trying to present a proposal about dress code changes to the principal

Expert Based on a leaders expertise, skill, and knowledge Example: Why do you go to a doctor when you are sick? Because a doctor has the EXPERTISE to make a decision about your illness.

Connection Based on who a leader knows You know that your next door neighbor works at Toyota Center and can get discounted tickets. Your friends often look to you to “use your connections” to get tickets.

Coercive Based on a leaders ability to invoke fear in people. Example: Your father has told you he will take away your cell phone if you make a bad grade.

Exercise Blog Post: Name a leader that you admire. This can be ANY type of leader, like a teacher, government official, pastor, club sponsor, etc. What type of power (or powers) make this leader so admirable to you? How does this leaders use his or her power in a positive manner to motivate others?