Leadership Styles

Leadership Styles

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Managerial Leadership

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Abstract

This paper provides a detailed discussion of five leadership styles, the three classical/traditional; autocratic, democratic, laissez faire and two contemporary; leader-member exchange and situational. A basic description and little background are given on each style. In addition, there is a detailed discussion of leadership styles practiced at the 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

Leadership Styles

Introduction

Leadership is defined as “the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group,” by dictionary.com. There are an infinite number of ways to do this. This paper will provide a detailed discussion of five leadership styles, the three classical/traditional; autocratic, democratic, laissez faire and two contemporary; leader-member exchange and situational. In addition, there is a detailed discussion of the leadership styles practiced at the 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

The autocratic or authoritarian style is where the leader has complete control over subordinates (Rao, 2010). This type of leader gets the job done with little regard for the people (Taylor, 2006, p. 62). It can be effective if little skill or creativity are required, or if decisions have to be made rapidly, as in the military (Taylor, 2006, p. 64). However it can be seen as dictatorial and is not effective where punishment is required (Taylor, 2006, P. 63).

In democratic or participative leadership, the leader includes subordinates in decision making. Democratic style leadership is marked by building consensus, seeking input, working together to create vision, and sharing accountability for results (Wilson, 2004, p. 3). Additionally in this style the leader needs to be perceived as highly capable, to have enough knowledge to make the correct decisions (Kayser, 1973, p. 35). There are pitfalls to this type of leadership. It is not suited for high stress...