Question

discusses five leadership styles: laissez-faire leader, autocrat, participative leader, transactional leader, and transformational leader, and several key leadership traits. In 375-450 words  select a leader of a nation, corporation, or pro-sports team, & describe in five paragraph essay format a) their leadership style (you can include some life experiences which helped them develop); b) key leadership traits the leader possesses; and c) how this brief “leader case study” can help you (as a future leader) develop your leadership style/skills.

Answer 1

There are different types of leadership Styles exists today but it depends on the goals and the culture of the organization that which leadership style will be suitable. Some traits are in built while some leadership traits are being developed by situations and learning.

The Laissez-Faire Leader- Such leader’s lacks direct supervision of employees and lack of control leads to increased cost. Highly experience Employees or subordinates under such leaders manage work on their own, but low experience employees suffer.

The Autocrat- This leadership style allows the management to take decisons on their own and fell free to take the decision and implement on others. Nobody can challenge their decision.

The Participative Leader- often called Democratic Leadership Style where participative leaders take decision after having discussions with the employees as they feel that employees have the right to say in the important decisions of the organization. They boost the morale of the employees.

The Transactional Leader - In such leadership style, Leader analyse the performance of the employees and reward them on the basis on their performance. Such leaders believe in result oriented working and motivate the performing employees with Bonuses, rewards,etc.

The Transformational Leader - This Leadership Style focuses on enhanced communication between mangers and employee to work efficiently and meet the goals of the organization.

A-The famous leader chosen is Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple. Apple has survived and gain such heights because of Jobs democratic Style of Leadership. He knows how to adopt. Initially, jobs started as The Laissez-Faire Leader for which he received so much criticism and apple is at the position of soared. Then, he tries the autocratic leadership style, when the management and employees started showing their anger on him. He don’t allow anyone to interrupt in the decisions he was taking. But, such attitude lasts when the Apple’s Board asked for his resignation. The, he finally adopted the democratic style of Leadership when he realized that taking decisions participative is very important. He then hired several experienced leaders and encouraged them to excel and take collective decisions. He let the management to perform their work effectively and take decisions on their own at their level.

B-The key Leadership Traits possessed by him are sharing of ideas and opinions, creativity, encouragement towards new and independent tasks.

C- This study has helped me to understand various leadership styles and how leaders have changed and adopted different styles depending on the situations. It depends on the type of the organization and the culture that prevails which tells us what leadership styles to be adopted.