Laissez-Faire Leadership
Laissez-Faire Leadership is when the leader lets the people make their own decisions and the leader takes a more hidden role. This style of leadership relies on the leader to be more personal with their team. This induces trust in the team as a whole and the team members feel empowered. The leader is also able to delegate.
This lax style, however, means that the goals set may not be achieved as the roles and responsibilities are usually poorly defined. This consequently is regularly used as a cover for bad leadership.
Bureaucratic Leadership
Bureaucratic Leadership is when the leader relies on the use written rules, “play it by the book”. It leaves no room for personal judgement. This style maintains order and makes policies/objectives clear. It also enforces a routine within the whole group.
Although this style is very orderly, there are no regulations and because of constant routine, team members can become bored and lose interest. The team members must also break old habits so they can adapt to new ones.
Democratic Leadership
Democratic Leadership is a system where a leader is elected/chosen by their team. This means that the team members think that the leader they have chosen is the leader they more or less want. The team members are empowered which can lead to good advice or an argument among the rest of the team. This style recognises and encourages achievements, therefore motivating the team. This promotes team building and team spirit.
This style of leadership how ever leads to lengthy decision-making. This may in turn compromise the effective use and cost of recourses. This style can also lead to a compromise of discipline.
The team leader
The team leader is responsible for the safety and work ethic of their assigned team. They must ensure that they are used effectively to achieve the goals set
The cost of bad leadership
Bad leadership can lead to…
- Lack of motivation in staff
- Leaving of staff
- Wastage of recourses
- Non-completion of objectives set
- Compromise of safety
- Lack of teamwork
In the worst cases of bad leadership, mutiny can breakout in the team and the leader replaced.
Emergence and selection of Leaders
Leaders emerge in different ways…
Birth
People become leaders at birth. This is because they are the heirs of an already great leader. They there for have the leadership position passed on to them or inherit it when they die. This emergence of a leader is true of the reining monarch.
Appointed by others
Leaders are sometimes chosen by others. An already appointed leader usually appoints these people. They are usually appointed because they have demonstrated good skills to their leader. This selection of leadership is usually used in the military where a person is promoted,
Self appointed
It is sometimes possible for a person to appoint themselves as a leader. In order for this to work the other people in the group must see this leader as someone greater than them. The self appointed leader can declare themselves as a leader by demonstrating courage and defiance. This emergence of a Leader is usually seen in protests. An example of a self appointed leader is Martin Luther King,
Election
A group of people vote between a small selection of people in order to choose their leader. This is an effective way of selection because it is a fair way and the majority of people will agree that this is the leader they want. An example of this selection of a leader is seen in a Democratic government when a general election is held.
Situation
Leaders usually emerge when a group of people are put in a different environment. This leader can usually be self appointed or be selected among the group.
Victory in battle
Leaders can gain total leadership through competition. This usually involves groups of people willing to fight for their side. This is commonly seen is war where an opposing leader is either killed, captured or surrenders. An example of one such leader is Adolf Hitler.
Age
Age can be a way of perceiving rank. It is known that older people are more experienced in life than younger people. Therefore in this situation the leader will remain in power until they pass it on to someone else. This selection of leadership is best demonstrated in parenthood.
Experience
If someone has more experience in their field of work then they are best suited to leading a team in the same field. This is generally used in businesses in order to give experience and teach new employees.
Physical abilities
People can emerge as leaders through their physical abilities. These abilities can sometimes be exercised in other people. A common leader that is selected in this manner is a fitness instructor.
Intellect abilities
This is the same as physical abilities except the person is more intelligent and not fitter. A common leader with this quality would be a teacher of an intellectual subject like maths, science etc.
Styles of leadership in the public services
Authoritarian Leadership is well known to be used in the Military. It maintains good discipline, which in turn helps in team building and organisation. The military ensure that leaders are clearly shown by their epaulette. Threats are used sometimes to give the team more reason to be successful. This style of leadership is also used in the Police service except threats are rarely used and employees have more of an input.
The medical service as a whole, use more than one style of leadership. The paramedics use a form of authoritarian leadership where quick decisions have to be made and goals have to be achieved. The employees, however, sometimes have to make their own decisions and the threat, although it is not given, is a patient may die because of their decision. Like the military and the police, the paramedics also have epaulettes to show who is in charge.
