LEADERSHIP STYLES

And consequentially "types" of leaders

There are four basic leadership styles;

1.       Dictatorial,

2.       Authoritative,

3.       Consultative and

4.       Participative.

                Managers have the option to choose and use a leadership style in a given situation. And there are arguments that leaders act in reference to their people so it is the people who determine the type of leadership style that's good for them. There may be some truth in this, but here we focus on the managers' leadership initiative alone. Managers usually adopt a predominant leadership style in their approach to management. The ship-theory below describes the atmosphere in the leaders Ship.

The Dictatorial leaders-ship

                A manager who routinely makes all the decisions within his span of responsibility can be said to be dictatorial. Matters requiring decisions steadily pile up awaiting the managers attention. This indecision jam causes backlogs, delays and very short tempers. ... This ship tends to be very sullen and quiet. Most people on board are waiting for something to happen. The ship maintains a steady, slow questionable course.

The Authoritative leaders-ship

                The authoritative manager is more flexible than the dictator. This manager backs other people's opinions only if the opinions agree with their own. Authoritative managers feel that years of service, expertise, position or some other innate quality (which others are supposed to recognize) gives them the right to lead. They therefore feel justified to retain the right to the final say in all matters.....  An organization with authoritative managers will quickly polarize work around power bases and internal political influence. Work only gets done if it is sanctioned by "power brokers". ...Resources are issued as rewards for loyalty. There is actually a tendency toward misuse of resources as resources are diverted to political sideshows rather than goal achievement....

The Consultative leaders-ship

                ...The manager retains veto power on key issues and makes a decision after weighing options. This manager will delegate more duties and tasks and focus on building his team. The manager is inclined towards recognizing and acknowledging the contribution from all members of staff...  The use of resources in this style of management is likely to be towards optimal because of the spread of decision-making powers through delegated authority.

The participative leaders-ship.

                ...The role of the manager is one of facilitating the teams' highest possible performance. Each members unique capabilities are tapped and allowed to influence team decisions... In this style of leadership, responsibility and resources are placed in the hands of the expert. The expert being the person best suited to do the job. Appropriate authority and decision-making power is found at every level of organization. Individual responsibility is high and individuals contribute value to team success. On this ship issues are resolved through structured agreement. This ship attracts a lot of attention from other ships. The ship appears to have a sense of purpose as it moves towards its destination with periodic stops to celebrate progress.

 

There are two more types of leadership you may find interesting…

 

The Leaderless-ship

                Managers who actually avoid practicing leadership at all. They consult endlessly and never take any decision. On this ship managers just let the situation unravel. They make guessing games out of the decision process. And raise an occasional shout when a guess turns out to be okay. Shipmates are as blank as they are indifferent. They have no idea what is going on. There must be some purpose for this type of leadership though I can think of any right now. The ship always seems stationary whether it is in port or caught in a storm on the high seas.

The Popular leaders-ship

                These managers fear loosing favour amongst staff and also fear to appear authoritative. These managers make "popular" decisions or avoid making decisions altogether. Popular decisions are characteristic of politicians making unrealistic election promises. The ship has an automatic concentric circle navigational system. Moving from one orbit to the next depending on the expediency of the circumstances.

 

Allan 1997