Leadership and Management

During my coursework learning about the variety of leadership styles, I have been able to take something positive away from each style. My personal preference is the "participative leadership style" and the most likely choice for me to use when in a leadership role.

For instance, I learned from each style that there will be something events that would be applicable given the work environment and situation at hand for the proper style. Because there are instances where management will have to utilize a combination of leadership styles are necessary to reach a common objective and goal.

Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people. All the different styles--authoritarian or autocratic; participative or democratic; and delegative or free reign have the applicability. Like for instance, using an authoritarian style on a new employee who is just learning the job, this style would be appropriate. The leader is competent and a good coach. The employee is motivated to learn a new skill. The situation is a new environment for the employee. Now an opportunity to use a participative style would be with a team of workers who know their jobs. The leader knows the problem, but does not have all the information, the employees know their jobs and want to become part of the team. But, in the case of a worker who knows more about the job than you

using a delegative (free reign) style. You cannot do everything! The employee needs to take ownership of her or his job. Also, the situation might call for you to be at other places, doing other things.

However in using the different styles there are situations that you will use all three: Telling your employees that a procedu...

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...les, and adjust his leadership style accordingly. Leadership needs to be adaptive.

Organizations have changed over the past several decades with regard to the structuring of work methods and processes. Moving away from the traditional hierarchical design, most organizations are developing flatter, leaner structures that support a more empowered, team-based workforce. The nature of leadership has also changed significantly over time.

References

Gary A. Yukl, (2002) Leadership In Organizations, Prentice-Hall International Edition, 2nd Edition,

Peter L. Wright, (1996) Managerial Leadership, Routledge, 1st Edition,

Bittel L. R., The McGraw-Hill 36 –hour Management Course, (McGraw-Hill, 1989),

Fred E. Fiedler, (1987), A Theory Of Leadership Effectiveness, McGraw-Hill, 1st Edition

Blake, R. R. and Mouton, J. S. (1978) The New Managerial Grid, Houston TX