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Leadership Styles:

Task-oriented, Democratic, and Laissez-faire

Introduction

Last week, I reflected on Lewin’s work related to Autocratic, Democratic, and Laissez-faire styles as a prioritized group of leadership strategies (Cherry, n.d.). Today, we continue the comparative analysis by exploring Democratic and Laissez-faire styles, and Task-oriented styles. As shown in Figure 1, the styles represent three theories accordingly: Participation, Management, and Participative Theories.

Figure 1
Leadership Theories and Styles

“Infinite in its Variety and Tested by Adversity” (Jimmy Carter)

Preetam Kaushik (2019) compares Democratic Style with jazz because of their similar organizational structure. The group matters, and each member contributes evenly. Such companies value the process itself, and improvisation plays a fairly significant role in a journey to success.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1931) is a vivid example of a democratic leader who developed a collaborative approach to rights protection and conflict-solving in India.

Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in Africa to improve environmental issues and help women with their social and economic rights.

Barack Obama, as a democratic leader, focused on adjusting the political system to involve the American people in the decision-making process more.

A rule-breaker and founder of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson encourages his employees to innovate and be creative in the workplace (Domanska, 2019).

Delegate and Conquer

Laissez-faire style is based on task differentiation and responsibility division. The main idea behind this approach is the expertise of group members.

The hands-off approach can be explained using the example of Intel Corporation which was founded in 1968. The company’s operations were divided into three responsibilities: Robert Noyce was an inspirational leader; Gordon Moore took an analytical division; and Andy Grove was responsible for leadership as an action (Top Questions And Answers, 2017). The Delegative strategy helped the company grow into a giant corporation. Hence, the leadership style eventually shifted to an autocratic form.

People vs. Effectiveness

This week’s written assignment case illustrates the example of a “hands-on leader” who prioritizes tasks over relationships. Task-Oriented leaders (Case 45). Wanda is a talented leader. She explores options and provides solutions to optimize the operational management in the organization. 

Among well-known leaders, I would highlight Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Both leaders set challenging goals to achieve specific objectives and deliver high-quality products.

Conclusion

The three approaches require situational metrics. While being creative and voicing ideas are a business card of Democratic strategy, the Delegative mode depends on expertise. Cooperation is replaced by responsibility, independence, and consequences. Task-oriented leaders focus on efficiency. Meanwhile, all strategies seem to be transactional, for their task-reward nature. 

Another common aspect is an understanding of how far the scope of followers’ involvement (for Democratic style), empowerment extends (for Laissez-faire style), and task efficiency priority should be. The ability to maintain balance and not go too far is the key to the balance and success of the company.

According to last week’s Leadership Styles Questionnaire, I possess the traits of a Democratic leader. Furthermore, I am a 50% relationship-oriented worker and 50% task-oriented worker, that beneficial in most workplaces.

By Katia Sova
Updated February 22, 2024

References

Case 45. The worst part was that she was often right. (n.d.). In Fifty Case Studies for 

Management & Supervisory Training, 45.1 – 45.3. 
https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1824826/mod_book/chapter/481246/U3%20Case%20Study.pdf

Cherry, K. (n.d.). Leadership styles. 

http://myweb.astate.edu/sbounds/AP/2%20Leadership%20Styles.pdf

Domanska, A. (2019, December 24). Lessons that Richard Branson’s Leadership Style 

Taught Us. Industry Leaders.
https://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/lessons-that-richard-bransons-leadership-style-taught-us/

Kaushik, P. (2019, December 3). 3 Examples of Democratic Leadership in Action. 

Tarting Business.
https://www.startingbusiness.com/blog/democratic-examples

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