Leadership Style Theories

Which Leadership Style is the Most Effective?

There are several different leadership styles that can be used by effective managers, as well as several theories on how leadership styles are determined. The leadership style that is most effective for a particular manager will depend on the manager's personal preference, the type of work performed by employees, and the knowledge, skill, and motivation of the employees. The appropriate style to use will also depend on the type of company and the culture of the organization (Wertheim).

There are three main leadership styles: authoritarian, participative, and delegative. Good managers will incorporate all three styles by choosing the appropriate style based upon the situation.

Authoritarian Leadership Style

The authoritarian leadership style is used by mangers that want or need to have full power in decision-making. This style is often expressed by the manager telling employees specifically what to do and how to do it, and is most often necessary when time is of the essence.

This style should not be used too frequently, because it could lead to the perception of bossiness on the manager's part, which could lead to reduced employee motivation and reduced dedication (Clark).

Participative Leadership Style

The participative leadership style is used by managers who want or need to include employees when making decisions. When this style is used, the manager encourages or expects employees to provide input that will help the manager make the final decision. This style is most often used when the manager has some of the information and employees have some of the information that is needed to make a decision (Clark).

The participative leadership style promotes employee commitment and increases employee morale, because employees have an active part in the decision-making process, which gives them a feeling of importance and worth. This style can also improve employee-management relations. For these reasons, it is good to implement this style as often as practical.

Delegative Leadership Style