leadership styles

n. Leadership styles are the actual or perceived patterns of behavior (e.g., words and actions) that leaders engage in to influence others. Leaders have a variety of options in terms of style. In terms of their power, Lewin, Lippitt, and White suggested that leaders could be (1) autocratic or authoritarian 一 making decisions unilaterally; (2) democratic 一 sharing power with the group by encouraging participative decision making; or (3) laissez-faire 一 abstaining from exercising power, thereby keeping leadership activity to a minimum. In terms of their goals, Blake and Mouton suggested that leaders could emphasize tasks (concern for production and job requirements) versus relationships (concern for people and interpersonal relationships). Finally, in terms of the strategies they employ to influence and motivate followers, Bass contrasts transactional styles that use extrinsic motivation (i.e., rewards or punishments to motivate performance) with transformational styles that emphasize intrinsic motivation (i.e., inspirational motives, ideals, and values). The success of these styles hinges upon the interaction between individual and situational variables.

- JS, TM