1. Leadership Styles February 2015

2. 4 Leadership Styles Autocratic Bureaucratic Democratic Laissez-faire
Each of these styles will effect employees’ motivational levels differently.
These styles are used at different times for different circumstances.

3. Autocratic Leadership Style
Decisions made without employee input
Give orders without explanation
Expect orders to be obeyed
Structured set of rewards and punishments are used to ensure compliance
Employees given little or no discretion on how to do the job simply follow orders!

4. Autocratic cont’ed
When used in the wrong situation on the wrong employees means disaster for all!
Results in
low morale
High absenteeism
High employee turnover

5. Autocratic cont’ed
Works well in an emergency situation when a break from normal procedures is needed
i.e. “this is what needs to be done! Here’s how to do it, let’s get started!”
Also called Authoritarian or Dictatorial Leadership Style

6. Bureaucratic Leadership Style
Leaders focus mostly on rules, regulations and company polices.
Work is done: “By the book!”
More of a police officer than a leader
Good for learning to use dangerous equipment where rules must be followed!
Or in a work place where exact procedure are required (like filing or data management)

7. Democratic Leadership Style
Also called Participative Leadership Style
Keep employees informed about all aspects of work that affect them
Staff share in decision and problem solving responsibilities

8. Democratic cont’ed Emphasises the employees role in the company
Employees develop a high sense of job satisfaction

9. Democratic cont’ed The democratic supervisor:
Develops plans for employees self evaluation
Allows employees to help establish goals
Encourages employees to grow on the job and be promoted
Recognises and encourages achievement
A “coach that is leading a team”
This approach works well with highly skilled and highly experienced employees

10. Laissez-Faire Leadership
Also called Free-rein Leadership
A hands-off approach to leadership, very little leading takes place
Provides little to no direction to employees
Allows employees as much freedom as possible

11. Laissez-Faire Leadership cont’ed
Gives all authority (power) to the employees relies on them to set goals, make decisions & resolve problems
There are very few times that this approach to leadership is appropriate but it may work with very highly skilled employees who have been trained in decision making and problem solving skills

12. Factors Affecting Leadership Styles
In a perfect world:
Use a leadership style appropriate to the situation
Know the needs, interests, & goals of each employee
Use the most appropriate style to provide an atmosphere of motivation

13. 3 Factors to be aware of Leader’s personal background
Characteristics of the employees, i.e. what motivates them!
Organizational climate

14. Leader’s personal background
Your personality, knowledge, values and experiences all work to shape your feelings, attitude and how you respond towards your employees & those you lead
Your feelings about leadership are important in determining the leadership style(s) you will use!

15. Characteristics of the employees
Employees that want independence & decision making responsibilities and have the experience may work better under a democratic leader
Employees with many different expectations and experiences may work better under a more autocratic leader, including those with very little work experience to draw upon

16. Organizational Climate
What’s important to the company?
Some companies stress human relations
Others focus on the bottom line (profit) at the expense of everything else.
To be an effective leader in any organization you must consider and adopt the dominant organizational philosophy

17. Summing up!