Different Types Of Management Styles And How They Work

Like everything else in life, leadership styles are learnt and honed through different stages of work. Every leader has developed, through the years, a certain style of management and leadership, which sets them apart. No matter how successful you are as a manager, here are  a few different types of management styles every great leader follows without realising:

1. The Autocratic Leader

The most common type of leader, Autocratic  leaders are those who make decisions without input from people around them. If the decision made is the right one, the response is positive. However, this rarely is the case and most decisions taken without consultations are perceived negatively. While not useful for most work environment, this style comes into play when firm decisions need to be made.

2. The Consultative Leader

Unlike the Autocratic leader, Consultative  leaders make decisions after consulting with those around. One of the primary advantages of this type of leadership is that it instills loyalty in the employees. Not only does the leader confer with those important, it helps in improving the focus  of the business. However, while this type of leadership does have its fair advantages, the negatives lie in the fact it results in employees becoming more dependent on the leader. Furthermore, those who feel left out of the consultation process end up leaving when not consulted.

3. Persuasive

Unlike the  Autocratic and the  Consultative type of leadership, Persuasive  leaders work as a combination of the two other forms. Despite consulting the employees, this type of leader convinces the people on  his or her team about why the said decision needs to be made. The primary drawback to this type of leadership is that employees tend to feel alienated because of their leaders focus more on persuading rather than actually taking feedback. Like the Autocratic leadership style, this  method should also be used quite sparingly.

4. Democratic

Just like its name, the Democratic style of leadership is that which has a combined decision making effort between the leader and the team. This essentially means  while the leader does take a final call on what’s happening, a voting system is followed. From the manager to the employees, everyone is involved in taking a call on what’s going to be done, thereby letting people realise they have a say in what’s going on in the company. While this style does work when it comes to taking major decisions, it does have a drawback because of the amount of time which goes on in the voting process.

5. Laissez Faire

The Laissez Faire type of leadership is the exact opposite of an Autocratic style of leadership. With this style, employees have the complete authority to take the decisions they see fit and the management is seen more of a mentor than a leader. One of the most preferred styles of leadership, this one helps in streamlining work and maintaining  an environment free of hostility, at the workplace.
Every leadership style has it own advantages and disadvantages. What style would you choose? Comment and let us know!