What is Leadership and leadership styles ?

What is Leadership and leadership styles ?

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP

Leadership is a process by which an leader can direct, guide, motivate and influence the behavior and work of others towards achievement of organizational goal. Leadership indicates that leader should maintain good interpersonal relations with the team and motivate them to contribute for achieving organisational objectives.

Characteristics of Leadership

1. It is a inter-personal process in which a leader influence motivate and guides workers towards achieving organizational goal.
2. It is a group process, as it require more then two people interacting with each other.
3. Leadership styles do change under different situations.
4. It is the continuous process.
5. It is a personal quality.
6. It is a goal oriented process

Leadership styles          

There are four type of leadership style

1) Autocratic leadership style

2) Democratic leadership style

3) Laissez faire or Free-rein leader

4) Bureaucratic leadership

Autocratic leadership style:

In this style of leadership the leader has full control on the team. The team cannot present their view at the time of decision making. They only have to obey the order of the leader without asking any question. This type of leadership is generally followed in factories where the supervisor is responsible for production on time and has to ensure labour productivity. Quick decision-making is also facilitated.

Example: Before opening of new store, the store manager clearly describe the role and responsibility of each employee who will be working with him in store. He wants to ensure everyone is clear on the expectations and follows each procedure carefully and exactly so that everything can go in a smooth manner.

Democratic leadership style:

This kind of leadership style is more common as in this style of leadership the leader invites his team members and encourage them to present their opinion/views at the time of decision making. Here leader as well as all the team members support each other and respect their opinion. The advantage of this style is that it boost the moral of the employee and encourage creativity. The disadvantage of this style is that it is time taking style.

Example: As a car showroom manager, Varun has hired many brilliant and focused team members who he trusts. When deciding the showroom design and operations, Varun acts only as the final moderator for his team to move forward with their ideas. He is there to answer questions and present possible Suggestion for his team to consider.

Laissez faire or Free-rein leader:

This style is also known as the “ free style¨. Here, the leader have faith on his employees/team to perform the job themselves. In this style all the decision are taken by the employees to achieve organization goal effectively and efficiently. Here the role of leader is to provide direction/guidance whenever needed. The advantage of this style is that it motivate the employee and encourage creativity. The disadvantage of this style is that this style works only when employees are skilled and experienced.

Example: When welcoming new employees, rahul explains that his project interns can set and maintain their own work schedules as long as they're tracking towards and hitting goals that they set together as a team. they're also liberal to study and participate in projects that they could have an interest in outside their team.            

Bureaucratic leadership:

In this style of leadership the leader do not give authority to follower. Followers have to perform the tasks according to the rules and regulation of the organization. This leadership style is more suitable when quality of work is required. But this leadership style discourage the creativity of employees.

Example: Managers at the office of the department of automobiles instruct their employees to work within a specific, defined framework. They need to take many steps to finish a task with strict order and rules.