Types of Leadership Styles

Leadership is a process where a leader influences the behavior of the followers for the attainment of common goals. A leader may guide, organize, facilitate and motivate his followers for the accomplishment of shared aims. Effective leadership ensures the efficiency and productivity of the teamwork. A leader can be a political leader elected by the people, the head of an organization or an institution, a captain of a team, ideological leader or any other person nominated as a leader for a group working for certain goals.

There are four major types of leadership styles as given below:

1. Democratic Leadership
2. Authoritarian Leadership
3. Charismatic Leadership
4. Bureaucratic Leadership

   DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

The characteristics of democratic leadership are as follows:

1. The leader is chosen or elected by the followers themselves.
2. The leader believes in people's participation in decision-making process.
3. The Leader listens to the suggestions, opinion and ideas of the followers.
4. The leader gives importance to the suggestion, opinions and ideas of the followers.
5. The leader does not use power or force to suppress the followers.
6. The followers have full control on the activities regarding their personal choices
7. The leader attempts to maintain peace among the followers by reducing their frustration and internal conflicts.
8. The leader receives full support and appreciation from his followers.
9. The leaders always thinks about the betterment of his followers.
10. As the all the people are to be involved in decision making, the decision-making process may take a long time to complete – which is generally seen as a disadvantage of democratic leadership.

   AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP

It is also called autocratic leadership.

The characteristics of authoritarian leadership are as follows:

1. Leader assumes the role of a leader by the dent of his power.
2. The leader remains very restrictive and oppressive towards the followers.
3. The leaders discourage people's participation in decision making process..
4. The leader makes all the decisions himself without listening to or giving importance to the views of the followers..
5. The leader uses his power to impose his wills on people.
6. No one is allowed to challenge the leader.
7. Followers may feel insecure and alienated.
8. Leader exercises a strict supervision.
9. Conflicts, tension and frustration manifest in the people.
10. As people are not involved in the decision-making, the decisions are made very speedily. It is generally viewed as an advantage of autocratic style of leadership.

   CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP

The characteristics of charismatic leadership are as follows:

1. The term ‘charisma’ means attraction. Hence, the leader has a charismatic power - an attraction for the follower.
2. The leader has such personality traits, abilities and qualities that attract and inspire the followers.
3. The leader is a credible and sincere person.
4. The leader has power of creativity.
5. The leader is good communication skills and convincing power.
6. Due to these personal qualities, the leader is viewed as a source of inspiration by the followers.
7. The leader is a role-model for the followers.
8. The leader influences followers by the charismatic power of his personality.
9. Followers get emotionally attached the leader.
10. The leader is always concerned about the collective betterment of the people.

   BUREAUCRATIC LEADERSHIP

The characteristics of bureaucratic leadership are as follows:

1. It is a formal style of leadership.
2. Leader assumes the role of leader if he meets the eligibility criteria.
3. It has prescribed rules and regulations for operations.
4. There may be a hierarchy in the statuses of the followers. Every follower has a power and responsibility depending upon his status in the hierarchy.
5. The leader has an authority to direct the followers towards the attainment of the goals.
6. All the tasks are planned and strategies are designed carefully.
7. Formal setups such as organization, hospitals, banks, and universities reflect bureaucratic leadership styles.