Leadership

Question 1

What are the five forms of leadership?

Answer 1

1. Autocratic
2. Paternalistic
3. Democratic
4. Participative
5. Laissez-Faire

Question 2

What is autocratic leadership?

Answer 2

Autocratic leaders give little freedom to junior employees and like to always retain control. Communication tends to be downwards, as they set instructions and tasks. They set objectives and expect employees to follow.

Question 3

Advantages of autocratic leadership?

Answer 3

1. Good for when a quick decision is needed
2. Creates uniformity within messages by all employees
3. Good for when managers are in control of large amounts of unskilled workers

Question 4

Disadvantages of autocratic leaders?

Answer 4

1. Businesses become very dependant on leaders
2. Employees don’t have information support or confidence to act on initiative
3. Organisation becomes less responsive to changes
4. Slows down day to day decision making

Question 5

What is paternalistic leadership?

Answer 5

Paternalistic leadership is broadly autocratic, but paternalistic leaders take the interests of the work force into account when making decisions, however they still do retain control.

Question 6

Advantages of paternalistic leadership?

Answer 6

1. Loyal workforce - protected and cared for by leader = low rate of labour turnover.
2. Reduces recruitment costs and improves competitiveness of workforce and business
3. Good for when managers are in control of large amounts of unskilled workers

Question 7

Disadvantages of paternalistic leadership?

Answer 7

1. No encouragement for employees to use initiative and creativity
2. Slows down decision making in the business

Question 8

What is democratic leadership?

Answer 8

Democratic leaders allow subordinates some role in decision making. Typically, some decision making powers are delegated and leaders are likely to listen to views and explain decisions

Question 9

Advantages of democratic leadership?

Answer 9

1. Good communication throughout the business - up and down the structure.
2. Encourages employees to offer suggestions and ideas - raises morale and motivation
3. Very common in large organisations to improve efficiency

Question 10

Disadvantages of democratic leadership?

Answer 10

1. Slow decision making
2. Allows managers to absolve from responsibility
3. Less consistency of decision

Question 11

What is participative leadership?

Answer 11

This style of leadership allows business leaders to fully involve one or more employees in determining what to do and how to do it. Highly democratic - employees high control over decision making.

Question 12

Advantages of participative leadership?

Answer 12

1. Allows managers to utilise the talents and creativity of the workforce to the fullest extent
2. Increase skills and confidence of employees
3. Good for complex decisions - range of skills available to manager

Question 13

Disadvantages of participative leadership?

Answer 13

1. Slow decision making
2. Less consistency
3. Managers avoid responsibility

Question 14

What is laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 14

“Leave alone” - most extreme form of democratic leadership - Managers have very little say in management of business. Subordinates are empowered to make decisions without reference to leader.

Question 15

Advantages of laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 15

1. Fully utilise skills of employees - gains trust and respect.
2. Good for highly creative projects - creates motivation and support for leader
3. All are likely to be pursuing same objectives

Question 16

Disadvantages of laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 16

1. Lack or co-ordination and direction
2. Managers totally avoid responsibility
3. Slow decision making - no clear leader

Question 17

What do leaders do?

Answer 17

1. Set objectives and direction of the business
2. Set standards of the business
3. Become role models for subordinates
4. Decision makers
5. Need to recognise the skills that exist within the organisation and make use of the talent available

Question 18

Factors affecting leadership style?

Answer 18

1. Personality
2. Nature of task
3. Risk
4. Time constraint (little time more autocratic)
5. Skills of workforce
6. Skills / confidence of manager