#3: Leadership Styles

Question 1

What are the 3 types of leadership styles?

Answer 1

1. Autocratic
2. Laissez-faire
3. Democratic

Question 2

What is autocratic leadership?

Answer 2

• Manager or leader controls the situation (delegates)
• Typically make choices based on their ideas and judgements and rarely accept advice from followers
• Need control

Question 3

Pros and cons of autocratic leadership

Answer 3

Pros:
- Effective during emergencies when quick decisions need to be made or when unpopular decisions must be made
Cons:
- Can lead to micro-managing and employees having low morale and becoming rebellious

Question 4

What is laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 4

• Employees left alone to do their jobs (hands-off approach)
• Provide little guidance (“figure it out on your own”)
• Very effective if surrounded by good workers

Question 5

What are the pros and cons of laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 5

Pros:
- Some employees will become independent, have high morale, take more responsibility
Cons:
- Others will lack direction, guidance, and motivation without encouragement and feedback
- Poor teamwork risk

Question 6

What is democratic leadership?

Answer 6

Leader provides employees the opportunity to provide input to the decision making process (collaboration and all members participate)

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of democratic leadership?

Answer 7

Pros:
- Creates very high morale, excellent teamwork, and employees work harder
Cons:
- Much longer to make decisions (“too many cooks in the kitchen”)