Leadership style - a set of methods of influence of a person holding a leadership position on his subordinates. The style that the leader adheres to is the most important factor affecting the efficiency of the company, the realization of the team's capabilities and, in general, the success of the organization. The most popular classification of leadership styles divides them into directive (authoritarian), democratic (collegial) and liberal (anarchist). Let's try to figure out what the difference is and which style is better.
So, an authoritarian or directive style of leadership is characterized by increased centralization of management. One-man management dominates here. The authoritarian leader believes that all matters should be reported only to him, he solves all issues or cancels decisions made by subordinates. He rarely listens to the opinion of employees, and he makes all decisions for the whole team. Other leadership styles differ from this style precisely in the absence of orders, punishments, comments, reprimands, or the deprivation of any benefits. The authoritarian boss uses only the above methods. He very strictly and in detail controls the work, and puts the interests of the case above the interests of subordinates. Communicates sharply and rudely. Such communication with employees, as a rule, has a bad effect on the mood and moral and psychological microclimate. As a result, a decrease in initiative and responsibility of subordinates.
A collegial or democratic management style is more common than others. Its main features are the distribution of authority, responsibility and initiative between the leader, his deputy and subordinates. The democrat leader is usually interested in the opinion of the collective, especially those regarding production issues. Such a boss timely informs employees on all important issues. As a rule, communication takes place in the form of wishes, requests and advice. In the case of successful and high-quality work, such a leader will reward for quality and efficiency. Orders apply only when necessary. A person who pushes other leadership styles to the background and manages democratically stimulates a positive climate in the team and only contributes to the success and prosperity of the company.
The main characteristic feature of the liberal or anarchist style is the lack of active participation of the boss in leadership of the collective. Such a person usually falls under the influence of his subordinates, giving preference to quiet activity. He rarely takes risks, often evading conflict resolution and problematic issues. He is constantly thinking about how to reduce his personal responsibility. A liberal leader rarely controls subordinates. Leaders who choose similar leadership styles are very often met and revered in creative teams with original and independent employees.
Many are sure that the preferred leadership style is directly dependent on gender, but this is not entirely true. Researchers have proven that the main factors influencing leadership styles are personal characteristics of a person, temperament and mood. Proof of this is the fact that successful managers are not adherents of any one style. Usually they intuitively combine different management strategies.
The characterization of leadership styles outlined above proves that each strategy is good in its own way. The main thing is to apply it in an appropriate situation and in a specific team, because there are many factors that affect employees and the relationship between them.