[Document title]

Leadership Styles

Contemporary Issues in Organizational Leadership

BUS 660

Abstract

Leadership is important because it is a critical part of our group dynamics. Even in the most

democratic groups, someone must ultimately take the role of organizing or facilitating for the

group. The role of the leader is present in every area of our life. An example would be the

leadership responsibilities of a teacher who instruct, managers who drive business, artists who

inspire ideas, politicians who lobby to fulfill needs, entrepreneurs who bring a vision to life, and

caretakers who provide supportive services. Each is affecting the lives of others by assuming a

leadership role that brings benefit to them both.

While most of us will find ourselves in a leadership role at some time in our life, simply being in

a leadership role doesn’t make someone an effective leader. (Bogard, 1979) It is important to

recognize different types of leadership styles and to how these styles fit to individual personality

types. In order to be an effective leader, it is not necessary to radically change a personality style.

(Ponder, 2005) It is much more beneficial to identify inherent tendencies and learn how to

develop those traits into effective attributions. It would be beneficial to understand each of the

formidable leadership styles and how to develop the style that comes intuitively. (Mumford,

2006)

Authoritarian Style

In an article written by Annika Brennan for the website, sounds of engagement “the

Authoritarian Leadership Style is characterized by a leader who makes all the decisions and

passes the directives to his/her subordinates”(www.soengagement.org, 2013).The subordinates

are usually expected to carry out all of the leader’s recommendations under very close

supervision, and in most cases the subordinates are not able to give their personal opinion or

allow ideas for change. In these circumstances there is much pressure and fear within the

subordinates as any attempt as questioning superiors is not an option. This leadership style often

motivates individuals who are not leaders, and are staffed by individuals who prefer to be led.

The decision-making process is not a democracy on behalf of the staff, but instead an accepted or

rejected approach presented by management or leadership.

Although this style of leadership may be extremely ill fitted for certain fields in many

they motivate a positive outcome such as; the military, a prison, or a field that must allow room

for control such as the police task of any county. This style can be beneficial to those who are

knew to a particular career, and will require guidelines and organizational structure from an

authoritarian style manager.

Democratic Style

According to Brennan, “the democratic style of leadership it is characterized by a

structured but cooperative approach to decision making. (www.soengagement.org, 2013). This

type of leadership style places more trust and responsibility on the employees. It can be viewed

as a management style that encourages employees to speak about ways to improve operations

and employee morale. The democratic style of leadership desires to create a team atmosphere,

where all employees are viewed equally. This type of leadership style is used more frequently in

areas like government, sports, journalism, and music industries. Within all the individuals within

the organization however in most cases it is their personal decision whether or not they would

like to or not, and those in the medical field where most individuals have had to go through an

educational experience or year or work related experience.

Laissez-Faire Style

In the same article written by Annika Brennan, the Laissez Faire leadership style gives

employees more freedom to work independently of leadership. (www.soengagement.org, 2013)

Due to the lack of leadership, employees may lack direction and understanding, which can create

a lack of productivity. Although this leadership style is not usually advocated or used by most

organizations, this is great for those who have work-from-home businesses and are independent

contractors. This type of leadership style also motivates personal creativity and often generates

personal growth ability as most everyone is in complete control of their own actions and results.

Personal leadership styles

Leadership is not something you can ask, seek or force others to want from you. We may

not have the ability to choose our personalities, we do choose the way we live, and certainly the

way we choose to lead our subordinates. The choices we make in leadership reflect our

character, and our action such as; respect, authority, trust, and credibility are not ones that can be

given to an individual; they must be earned. Living by example is the most powerful way to lead.

The proper ability to lead stems from having a natural ability to motivate those around you, and

the ability to be a good visionary. In most cases people follow a leader because they are

passionate about what and who they are leading, and because they can see knowledge they may

have on a specific topic.

Selecting a leadership style is also developed by the over-all goal one has set for

themselves as a leader within an organization, and their own personality traits. While in one filed

being an authoritative leader would not work it may in another just as much as if one leader is

not capable of being authoritative while another may find it easy.

In conclusion

The benefits and negatives to each leadership style give an organization many options.

The best part of the all the leadership styles is that they can be changed, based on the direction of

the organization. Example, an organization that started utilizing the authoritarian leadership can

change to the Laissez-Faire style to meet organization needs. After careful consideration on the

several leadership styles I have read I believe I am extremely democratic. While having the

quality to generate an example and lead individuals I have managed I also like to make sure they

feel a part of all the decisions I make as having them involved keeps them motivated and excited

about the growth of the business. I also feel that this is possible for me due to the circumstances

of the fields I have worked in as in most cases each task covered is best done within a team of

organizers regardless of who is leading or not.

References

Bogard, M. R. (1979). The manager's style book. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Gordon, T. (1977). Leader effectiveness Training. New York: Wyden Books.

Mumford, M. (2006). Pathways to Leadership. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum

Associates, Inc.

Annika Brennan (2013). Leadership styles. Sounds of Engagement

Website://www.soencouragement.org/leadership-styles.htm?

&lang=en_us&output=json&session-id=a07e4a6a08253404b46ec9a021f073c9