Leadership styles

Leadership Style – a set of methods of influence of a person holding a managerial position, to their employees. The style, which adheres to the head, – the most important factor affecting the performance of the company, the realization of the potential of the team and the overall success of the organization. The most popular classification of leadership styles divides them into prescriptive (authoritarian), democratic (collegial) and liberal (anarchist). Let's try to understand what the difference is and which style is better.

So, authoritarian or Directive leadership style has a high centralization of management. Here is unity of command. An authoritarian leader believes that all cases have to report only to him, decides all issues or cancels adopted by the subordinates of the decision. To the opinion of the staff he rarely listens, and takes all decisions for the entire team by himself. Other leadership styles are different from this style it is the absence of orders, punishments, comments, reprimands, deprivation of any benefits. Authoritarian head uses the above methods. He's very strict and detailed control of the work, and puts business interests above the interests of subordinates. Speaks sharply and rudely. Such communication with employees, as a rule, badly affects the mood and psychological climate. As a consequence – a reduction of initiative and responsibility of subordinates.

Collegial or democratic style Management more common than others. Its main features-the distribution of authority, responsibility and initiative between the Manager, his Deputy and subordinates. The head of the Democrat usually interested in the collective opinion, especially regarding production issues. The Governor informs employees on all important issue. Typically, the communication is in the form of wishes, requests and tips. In the case of successful and quality execution of the work, such a leader will be rewarded for quality and efficiency. The orders are used only when necessary. The person who pushes the other leadership styles to the background  and manages affordable, encourages a positive climate in the team and only contributes to the success and prosperity of the company.

The Main characteristic of a liberal or anarchist style – no active participation in the leadership team. Such a person usually falls under the influence of his subordinates, preferring quiet activities. He rarely ventures more often straightforwardly from the solution of conflicts and problems. Constantly thinks about how to reduce your personal liability. Liberal leader rarely monitors subordinates. Leaders who choose such leadership styles, are very common and are revered in creative teams with distinctive and independent employees.

Many believe that the preferred leadership style depends on the floor, but it is not so. Researchers have shown that the main factors affecting leadership styles – personality traits, temperament and mood. The proof of this is the fact that successful managers are not committed to any one style. Usually they intuitively combine different control strategies.

Characteristics of the leadership styles outlined above proves that every strategy is good in its own way. The main thing is to apply it in appropriate situations and in a team, because there are many factors affecting employees and the relationship between them.