Leadership Styles

By Poonam sharma ECE

Under leadership style the subordinate are motivated in such a way that they start following the leader after having been impressed with his behaviour. In this way with the help of the subordinates the objectives of the enterprise are easily obtained. The methods with the help of which a manager establishes his effect on his subordinates are called "styles of leadership". Different managers can have different leadership style.For example,the leadership style of a manager can be based on love,another manager may have the leadership style of getting work with the help of force,still another manager have mixed styles of leadership.

# LEADERSHIP STYLE #

·                    MOTIVATIONAL

·                    POSITIVE

·                    NEGATIVE

·                    POWER BASED

·                     AUTOCRATIC

·                    DEMOCRATIC

·                      FREE - REIN

·                    RESULT BASED

·                    EMPLOY ORIENTED

·                    PRODUCTION ORIENTED

            

* MOTIVATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLE*

The method which are used by the manager to influence the behaviour of the subordinates include the motivational style which may be called the chief style in the category. Under this style the employees are motivated with a view to utilising thier maximum capability.Motivation leadership style is of two kinds.

(1)-Positive leadership style--When a leader satisfies his followers by economic and non economic incentives to get their co operation for the attainment of the objectives of the organisation,it is called "positive type of leadership".Economic incentives mean increase in pay,share in profit and non economic incentive include their feeling,participation in taking decision etc.

(2)-Nagitive motivation-Under this style the employees are motivated not by some economic or non economic incentives but by some unhelpful behaviour.It is only because of this that it is called nagitive style of leadership. It includes getting work through,removing from the job,reduction from the salary.

            *Power Based Leadership Styles*

as the name of the style suggests the leader uses his power under this style the use of power does not mean that the leader always keeps an unnecessary pressure on his followers,but all the style in this category are related with the authority of the leader.

(a)-Autocretic leadership style - This style is also known as the leader-centerad style under this styly the leader keeps all the authority centered in his hands and the employees have to perform the work without changing any of his orders.If any employe is careless in his work performance,he is punished.Concequently the responsibility of the success or failure of management remains with the manager.

Characteristics-

{1}=Formal Relations- This style creates formal relations among the leader and his followers.Formal relations mean relations with individuals in accordance with the orgational structure.

{2}=Single man decisions-In this style of leadership the manager himself takes all the decisions.

{3}=Only downword communication-The thinkings and suggestions of the employees are meaningless in this style of leadership.

  -Advantages-

(1)-Quick and clear decisions-Because of the centerilised authority all the decisions are teken by a single individual and hence there is no unnecessary delay and they are compratively clear.

(2)-Satisfactory work- Since the work performance of the employees is under strict control,the quantity and quality of the work happen to be satisfactory.

     -Disadvantages-

(1)-Lack of Motivation- This style does motivate the manager but it lowers the morale of the employees.

(2)-Less Productivity-When the morale of the employees falls, it directly affects productivity.

          -DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE-

This style is also known as group centred leadership style. These days this leadership style is very much in vogue.Under this decisions regarding different works are not taken by the manager alone but they are taken in consultation with the employees.

                    - CHARACTERISTICS-

(1)-Cooperative Relation- The chief characteristic of this style is the existence of cooperative relations among the managers and the employees.

(2)-Positive Motivation- In this style the employees are motivated by economic and non-economic incentives.

(3)-Group Decision-making -All the decision are taken by the managers with the cooperation of the subordinates.

                  -ADVANTAGES-

(1)-High Morale- Under this style the enthusiasm of the managers and the employees is sky-high.Both consider each other their well-wishers.

(2)-Creation of more efficiency and productivity-Since the employees are participants in the decision-making,they give full cooperation in implementing them.In this way their efficiency increase.

(3)-Availablity of Sufficient time for Constructive work- Under this leadership style the workload of the managers gets decreased. By using their spare time constructively they make the development and expansion of the enterprise possible.

                  -DISADVANTAGES-

(1)-Requirement of Educated Subordinates- The chief characteristic of this leadership style is that the subordinates are made partners in taking decisions, so much so that some little affairs are left to them.

(2)-Delay in Decision- It is clear that while taking decision the subordinates are always consulted.

         * FREE-REIN LEADERSHIP STYLE *                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

This leadership is also described as individual central style. In this style the manager or the leader takes little interest in managerial functions and the subordinate are lefton their own.

 -Characteristics-

(1)-Full faith in subordinate- a prominent characteristics of this style is that the manager consider their subordinate capable,active and full faith in them.

(2)-Independant decision-making system- In this style the management related decisions are taken by the subordinate instead of the manager.

They can, however, consult the managers.

               * RESULT BASED *

In this style of leadership the manager keeps in mind the result of work.Under this leadership style two arguments are given with regard to the attainment of the object of the organitation.In this way the result based leadership style is of two types--

(1)-Employee oriented leadership style-In this the leader consider his followers above all the otheres this concept is based on idea that if the employee are treated in a human way,their feeling are respected,their problem are solved and work conditions are improved etc.

(2)-Production oriented leadership-In this style more attantion is paid to the increase in production rather than human walfare.This style is based on the idea that by adopting new techniques of production.

* CONCLUSION *

Different style of leadership have been studied in three parts and all the part have their merits and demerits respectively.One style may be useul in a particular situations while another may be in some other situtions.

It is not easy to say which style is in every way. The work style of the manager,the knowledge of the follewers,conditionsof work are some of the factors which are kept in mind while choosing the leadership style.