Types of Leadership

Question 1

What is the authoritarian style of leadership?

Answer 1

• focus of the power is with the manager.
• communication is top down and one way.
• formal systems of command and control.
• use of rewards and penalties.
• very little delegation.

Question 2

Advantages of authoritarian leadership?

Answer 2

efficient, clear direction, discipline, centralised control, consistency.

Question 3

Disadvantages of authoritarian leadership?

Answer 3

limited innovation, low motivation, poor communication, micromanagement, high staff turnover.

Question 4

Examples of authoritarian leadership?

Answer 4

military, store managers, call centres, factories.

Question 5

What is the paternalistic style of leadership?

Answer 5

• leader decides what is best for employees.
• links with mayo - addressing employee needs.
• akin to parent/child relationship.
• still little delegation.
• a softer form of authoritarian leadership.

Question 6

Advantages of paternalistic leadership?

Answer 6

high level of loyalty, close relationships, mental support, trust, high staff retention.

Question 7

Disadvantages of paternalistic leadership?

Answer 7

bias/favouritism, lacking innovation, guilt tripping, blindly following orders.

Question 8

Examples of paternalistic leadership?

Answer 8

small businesses, apprenticeships.

Question 9

What is the democratic style of leadership?

Answer 9

• focus on power is more with the group as a whole.
• leadership functions are shared within the group.
• employees have greater involvement in decision making.
• emphasis on delegation and consultation.
• trade off between spread of decision making and better motivation and morale?

Question 10

Advantages of democratic leadership?

Answer 10

employee satisfaction, higher innovation, trust, freedom, increased motivation, security.

Question 11

Disadvantages of democratic leadership?

Answer 11

could lead to wrong decisions, slower decision making, conflict due to differing opinions.

Question 12

Examples of democratic leadership?

Answer 12

public sector, tech companies, car manufacturers.

Question 13

What is the laissez-faire style of leadership?

Answer 13

• leader has little input in day to day decision making.
• conscious decision to delegate power.
• managers/employees have freedom to do what they think is best.
• effective when staff are ready and willing to take on responsibility.
• not the same as abdication.

Question 14

Advantages of laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 14

trust, more efficient, increased productivity and innovation, flexible, best out of employees.

Question 15

Disadvantages of laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 15

could take advantage, less efficient, pay more than needed, lack of communication, loss of control.

Question 16

Examples of laissez-faire leadership?

Answer 16

doctors, commission based jobs, law firms, construction, college and HE education.

Question 17

What is McGregor Theory X?

Answer 17

leaders who believe that the average worker inherently dislikes work and will try to avoid it when possible, that people only work because they have to for the money.

Question 18

What is McGregor Theory Y?

Answer 18

leaders who believe that people work because they want to and because it is natural to them and they enjoy it.

Question 19

Why is modern business leadership moving away from autocratic styles?

Answer 19

• changes in society’s values.
• better educated workforce.
• focus on need for soft HR skills.
• changing workplace organisation.
• greater workplace legislation.
• pressure for greater employee involvement.

Question 20

What factors affect leadership styles?

Answer 20

• structure
• situation
• culture and traditions
• nature of tasks involved
• employees, their skills, and abilities
• group size
• managers personality and skills
• time frame