Leadership styles

Autocratic

• Leader makes decisions without reference to anyone else.

• High degree of dependency on the leader   

• Can create de-motivation and alienation of staff.

• May be valuable in some types of business where decisions need to be made quicklyy and decisively or where working with large amount of unskilled workers 

Democratic

• Encourages decision making from different perspectives.
• Consultative- process of consultation before decisions are made.
• Persuasive- leader takes decision and seeks to persuade others that decision correct.
• Help motivation and involvement of staff
• Workers feel ownership of the firm and the ideas
• Improves the sharing of ideas/ experiences within business
  
• Delay decision making

Laissez-faire

• 'Let it be'  - leadership responsibilities are shared by all
• Can be very useful in business where creative ideas are needed
• Can be highly motivational as people have control over their working life
• Can make co-ordination and decision making time consuming and lacking overall direction
• Relies on good team work and interpersonal relations

Paternalistic

• Leader acts as 'father figure'
• support staff