Leadership Styles

In this activity we will focus upon three main leadership styles: Autocratic, Democratic, and Laissez-Faire. Each style has its strengths and weaknesses.

The "authoritarian or autocratic leader" is a boss who rules absolutely does whatever he/she wants. Though others may react strongly to this dictatorial style the autocratic leader holds firm to his/her approach. In an authoritarian society a great deal of activity is invested reinforcing the power position that the authoritarian leader has assumed.  Think of Syria today.

The "democratic leader" encourages the members of his or her group to discuss matters in an environment that stresses sharing ideas and respecting opinions. In terms of decision-making, votes are taken when consensus cannot be reached through discussion. Value is placed upon the opinions of others and the rights of individuals to disagree. 

Democratic - seeks others' opinion, tries to build consensus, may have a vote to make a decision.

The "laissez-faire leader" basically "leaves alone" the task of making decisions for the group believing instead the group is best qualified to make decisions for itself. He/she refuses to accept a leadership role and accordingly abdicates assisting with task setting or decision-making. 

Laissez-Faire - "hands off" style, leaving decisions to the group.




Here's a nice example of an effective leadership style from the Dancin' Guy. 










Please complete this chart in your notes - Leadership Styles.

AUTOCRATIC - Characteristics
- tells others what to do
- new ways of doing things
- group does not feel like a team

EFFECTIVE WHEN
- time is limited
- the group lacks the skill
- group does not know each other

INEFFECTIVE WHEN...
- trying to build a team
- the group already has the skill/knowledge
- group likes to be spontaneous


DEMOCRATIC - Characteristics
- much involvement of group in decisions
- leader asks first, may "tell" afterwards
- promotes a sense of team

EFFECTIVE WHEN...
- there is sufficient time
- group is motivated
- sense of team already exists
- skill and knowledge exists within the team

INEFFECTIVE WHEN...
- not enough time
- group is not motivated
- conflict within team


LAISSEZ-FAIRE - Characteristics
- gives little / no direction to group
- does not offer opinion unless asked for it (the leader)
- no one seems to be in charge

EFFECTIVE WHEN...
- the group is motivated
- the group is highly skilled
- the routine is familiar to team

INEFFECTIVE WHEN...
- poor sense of team
- low level of skills/knowledge
- group expects to be told what to do

Part A - My Scenarios:

After reading over the background information, consider each of the six scenarios listed below. For each scenario, state which of the three leadership choices (i.e. Autocratic, Democratic, or Laissez-Faire) would be the best and give at least two reasons for your choice. 

a) You find yourself in a group in a class that has to write and put together a dramatic presentation that will be filmed on video. There are people of all types of abilities in the group and most seem pretty keen on doing the project.
Democratic - sense of team, have the time, high skill

b) You are a camp counselor assigned with a group of rookie campers. You will be competing against other cabins in a scavenger hunt held in half an hour. The other cabins have older and more experienced kids, but your group would like to show them up.

Autocratic - time is limited, lack skill, newbies don't know each other.

c) Your boss is away in the hospital, but everyone has done the job before. Everyone really likes their job and the group is close - in fact, the employees often socialize after work as a group. A major crisis occurs that involves everyone, but you can't call the boss.

Laissez-Faire - lots of skill, high team feeling

d) You find yourself in a group doing an assignment that nobody wants to do, including yourself. Unfortunately, this assignment will decide whether you and only a few others pass the course.

Democractic - sufficient time, motivated, team/skill.

e) A committee is planning the annual Christmas party for employees and their families. Last year was one of the better parties and all of the people who are working this year had a job on last year's committee.

Laissez-Faire - everyone knows what they're doing and they know each other and they have past success

f) You have thirty minutes left to decorate your house for your best friend's surprise birthday party. Other friends have started decorating, but they keep asking you what to do.

Autocratic - time crunch,

Part B - Social Scenarios:

For this activity identify whether these scenarios are more likely to describe the response of a democratic or an authoritarian system of government. Be sure to provide an explanation for your answer.  
1. You and your friends are students at university. You have decided to organize a protest calling for the release of prisoners of conscience, arrested the year before for criticizing the government's policies. During the peaceful public protest the government sends in the army with tanks to break up the demonstration and to arrest your group.

Autocratic 

2. People are complaining about a river that has begun to swell in size. They circulate a petition demanding that the government build a barrier wall.

Democratic

3. You gather a group of people together to protest the forced draft of young people into the army. The police show up in riot gear, but allow the protest to continue.

Democratic or Laissez-Faire

4. You learn that there is an election. You arrive at the polling station and are told that you can vote in secret, or vote out in the open. Police are standing around. You decide to vote out in the open. You go to cast your vote and notice that there is only one name on the ballot.

Autocratic

5. The government leader has been convicted of taking bribes for special favours. Under pressure from the people he decides to resign.

Democractic

6. A group of students complain that they are not allowed to gather together after curfew. They protest before the city hall. All of them are arrested and jailed after being clubbed by members of the army. 

Autocratic