Leadership Styles
I've worked for some great bosses over the years. Bosses that really valued my opinion and asked me for ideas. I've also worked for some proper nightmare bosses too! Bosses who just like to bark orders at their staff. So, which leadership style is best?
There are two leadership styles that you need to know about for your exam. There is the Democratic leader and the Autocratic leader. Read on to find out more....
There are two leadership styles that you need to know about for your exam. There is the Democratic leader and the Autocratic leader. Read on to find out more....
Democratic Leaders
A democratic leader values the opinions of their staff. They let employees contribute to ideas and they are prepared to listen to other people's points of view before coming to a decision. Richard Branson is a democratic leader. He is the boss, but he doesn't tell people what to do. Instead, he asks his staff to decide on the best way of doing things.
There are good and bad points in being a Democratic Leader though and here they are:
Advantages
Disadvantages
There are good and bad points in being a Democratic Leader though and here they are:
Advantages
- Staff feel trusted
- A nice working environment
- Workers don't fear their boss. They see the boss as a fair person.
- Staff are motivated to do the job because they have been involved in the decision-making.
Disadvantages
- It can take a long time to make decisions.
- Loud-mouthed workers can dominate the discussions.
- Workers can see the boss as being a bit weak.
- It's not a good leadership style if something needs doing urgently (imagine if an army sergeant was a democratic boss....."er, right then chaps, we're being attacked. Shall we take a vote on what to do?"!! I don't think that would work!!
Autocratic Leaders
An autocratic leader believes that they are the only person that can make decisions. It is their way or no way at all! They tell their workers exactly what they want them to do, and tell them exactly how they want them to do it. It would do my head in!!
Like always though, there are good and bad points, so here goes....
Advantages
Disadvantages
Like always though, there are good and bad points, so here goes....
Advantages
- It is very good for urgent situations (like being in the army, or when there is a fire).
- There is no confusion - the workers know exactly what they need to do.
- The boss can be seen as a really strong character.
Disadvantages
- People hate being told what to do - the workers end up feeling like robots.
- Employees can end up being scared of their boss. This could mean that they take more days off sick.
- The business is not getting the opinions of the people who actually do the work. You end up having ideas off only one person.
- Staff are not motivated to do anything extra. Instead they will just do what they are told and stop at that.