An Overview of the Different Types of Leadership in Existence Articles | Leadership

Leadership styles are crucial to success. We can find leadership in places in different places around us. Each of us will find ourselves taking leadership roles at one point or the other in our lives. We can easily find leadership in the world of business, sports, religion, and politics and even at home. Different types of leaders exist and you will come in contact with one type or the other over a period of time. 

If you understand different leadership styles and what they can do, it will help you become a better and more effective leader.

In 1939 the famous psychologist Kurt Lewin identified the basic styles of leadership in existence. The three styles of leadership have been established but types which are more specific have been found since that time. Leaders should never be confused with managers. Leaders are always in positions of management but not all managers are leaders. Good leaders tend to use a style or a combination of styles that works best with a situation.

Autocratic:

This is a dictatorial type of leadership where a single person makes the entire decisions. Expectations are always clear. This sort of leadership is the type that causes the most discontent in any establishment. It is rarely used but it can be be used for the completion of routine or unskilled tasks.

• Whatever needs doings and everything about how and when are the entire responsibilities of the leader. 

•  Permits quick decisions when time is of the essence.

• This approach isn’t a creative one. Doing what you are told regardless of what you are told. Obedience is mandatory and so it is a strict form of control.

• You should use this autocratic form of leadership when a group or member has no knowledge of the practice or the procedure. 

• This sort of leadership usually works when there is hardly any need for input or when Input would hardly affect the decision or the outcome.

Democratic:

Democratic leadership is a leadership style that is participatory and it is the most effective form of leadership. Employees and team members will feel in control of whatever they do and when they are involved in the decision making process which leads to a greater sense of satisfaction and a better feeling of being appreciated. However the leader will have the final say in everything. 

• The leader will act as guide to others. He will accept and look for ideas and suggestions by way of discussion. 

• Though the leader may have the final say on what happens the team is part of the entire process.

• Democratic style can lead to problems because the final decision is held back by a wide range of opinions.

• People tend to be more committed because they are involved in the decision making process. They have a personal stake in the outcome of everything that happens.

• This style of leadership tends to benefit everyone who is involved and helps them improve their people skills.

Delegative/Free Rein:

When you’re a leader you can’t do every single thing alone. A leader must learn to organize his priorities and delegate tasks and decisions to others while taking the final responsibility.

• Works best when the team or members of the team know a lot more about the subject in question.

• Highly motivated and well trained people work best with this sort of style.

• Minimal in direction.

• Allows decision-making by team members