This style of leadership was used extensively in World War 2 when Hitler ruled Germany, he was a real authoritarian leader and nobody was allowed to question his actions of his rules. If they did they would be dealt with!
Laissez-faire leadership
Laissez-faire is a French word, which means, “letting people do what they want”.
Laissez-faire leadership is the total opposite of authoritarian leadership. In a way, laissez-faire means no leadership at all. Laissez-faire leadership can’t be a leadership if you have no control over any one, but in a way, any leadership allows people to do what they like. For example, when a parent lets their child come home when ever they want to.
This type of leadership is best used in a work situation many in a factory where the employees feel there is less stress so that way productivity is increased as a result!
Democratic leadership
The word ‘democratic’ means, a kind of shared leadership where everybody has a part to play in the decision making process. In democratic leadership, everybody in an organisation is able to have a say in how things are done and how the decisions are made. For British people, the idea of democracy is connected with Parliament. If a person is unhappy with the way thing are being processed, they can complain to their MP. The MP may then try to do something about the matter and have a new law made. In companies, colleges and public services, people have meeting to arrange feed back sessions so that everybody can say what they think before a decision is made.
This type of leadership is best used in a work environment when involving your employees in most decisions and choices, that way the employees this that are important and that they are needed when in reality they are not.
In the Fire Service, Laissez-faire leadership is used. For example, if there was a fire in some one’s home, and the only way to tackle that fire most safely and quickly is by entering the next-door neighbours home, laissez-faire leadership would be very effective as the firemen would break in that house and tackle the fire. The fire fighters can brake in the house with out the permission of the owners to tackle a fire. In a way, the fire fighters can do what they want to put out a fire in the best possible way, even if they have to break into some ones house.
