Question

Identify the different leadership styles and explain ethical and moral aspects to consider.

Answer 1

Psychologist Kurt Lewin identified 3 different styles of leadership.

1. Authoritarian Leadership (Autocratic): Authoritarian leaders provide clear expectations for what needs to be done when it should be done, and how it should be done. It strongly focused on both command by the leader and control of the followers. The leader makes all the decision and the members of the group has little or no say.

Abuse of this kind of leadership can result in exploitation of its members.It is best applied to situations where there rapid decisions and decisive actions are needed. However, it tends to create dysfunctional and even hostile environments, often pitting followers against the domineering leader.

2. Participative Leadership (Democratic): It is typically the most effective leadership style. Democratic leaders offer guidance to group members, but they also participate in the group and allow input from other group members. Group members are involved and are more motivated and creative. Democratic leaders tend to make followers feel like they are an important part of the team, which helps foster commitment to the goals of the group. The members of this group are less production as compared to those in autocratic groups. However, their contributions are higher.

3. Delegative Leadership (Laissez-Faire): It is also known as laissez-faire leadership. They are the least productive of all three groups.

Delegative leaders offer little or no guidance to group members and leave decision-making up to group members. While this style can be useful in situations involving highly qualified experts, it often leads to poorly defined roles and a lack of motivation. The members are dependent on the leader and are more demanding. They are also less cooperative.

This type of leadership lack direction where members blamed each other for mistakes, refused to accept personal responsibility, and produced a lack of progress and work.

The researchers found that democratic leadership tended to be the most effective at inspiring followers to perform well.