Leadership ‘+ Leadership can be described as a process of influencing an individual, group or team to work towards achieving particular targets or goals. © Characteristis of effective leaders include: Persistent = Imegeity ~ Motivated to achieve = Maturity in actions Self confident = Able to work under pressure Conscious of change = Objective in decision making Possess emotional intelligence or selt- awareness to enable empathy and manage ‘emotions = Energetic ~ Determined and decisive = Vislonary and strategic thinker Leadership styles are a combination of characteristics or tr: behaviours that an individual use in a leadership role. 's, competences and sk ‘Autocratic or Directive Leadership Style (Authoritarian) — The leader assumes responsibility and authority over the subordinates, workers or followers. — The leader makes decisions and issues orders for subordinates to follow. — This stye is appropriate when managing a crisis situation in an organization Advantage — Help inspire confidence in the worker as he/she is clear on what isto be achieved = The leader feels a sense of control over situations — Facilitates quick decision making = Helpingin orienting new workers to unfamiliar situations Disadvantages: It can cause the worker to experience frustration at not having control over work situations. ‘The worker can become dependent on the leader Stifle worker initiative and creativity Workers may have a lack of commitment to objectivesDemocratic or Participative Leadership Style = The leader facilitates consultation and shares responsibilities with the followers or workers = Shared decision making — Promotes involvement and team work ‘Advantages: — The leader is supported by the workers or followers Members are encourages to contribute to decision making — Results in greater commitment from members = _ Encourages creativity among group members Disadvantages: = Conflict in decision making between leader and followers — Slower decision making process = Does not work efficiently if workers are not competent or interested in tasks laissez-faire leadership style [Also called ‘free rein! where the leader assumes a pastive role and lets workers make their own decisions about the work situation = The leader still engages in the overall goal setting and monitoring of workers, The leader is available when needed ‘Advantages: — Workers are motivated as they have autonomy = Opportunity for personal development with subordinates — Can work effectively if workers possess expertise and tr Disadvantages ing in their field of work = There may be a lack of clear direction and workers may get caught up in irrelevant activities. = The work may not get done and the leader will eventually have to step in Charismatic Leadership style ~ A leader who motivates and inspires followers or workers because of his or her strong personality Advantages — Able to motivate subordinates to achieve a visionDisadvantages — Conflict may occur as individuals compete to be close to the leader — The leader may not possess the skills needed to effectively lead in difficult situations Transformational Leadership style = Astyle of leadership that facilitates change in response to challenges faced by organization Advantages — Encourages innovation, creativity and learning in the organization — Allows for risk to be taken to facilitate growth — Workers are encouraged to learn and make decisions in defined areas Disadvantages — Risky in terms of decision that may be taken — Ifthe leader is not clearly informed, he/she may not understand the type of change needed Gan be met with high resistance by some There is no one ‘best’ style of leadership. Instead contemporary management studies indicate that a leader’s style can be contingent or situational. That is, based on the particular circumstances the leader faced with e.g. for emergency situation the leader can be autocratic; when developing a new product line the leader can be democratic to allow many ideas to come forward.