Leadership styles refer to the different ways that leaders use to influence, communicate, motivate, and guide their teams. There are many different leadership styles, and the most effective style will vary depending on the situation, the team, and the leader themselves.
Some of the most common leadership styles include:
- Autocratic
- Paternalistic
- Democratic
- Laissez-faire
- Situational
Introduction to laissez-faire leadership style
Laissez-faire leadership is a style of leadership that literally means ‘let them do it’ allowing workers to carry out tasks and make decisions by themselves working within very broad limits with very little or no input from the leader.
It leaves much of the business decision-making to the workforce with a ‘hands-off’ approach from the manager. Workers are provided with all the information they need to take decisions though. Communication is most often upwards from subordinates to the leader with little feedback from the leader during the task as managers will not be closely monitoring progress. There will be high motivation as staff may feel trusted by their employer to have control over their work and valued enough to contribute to the success of the organization.
Motivation could be low either depending on the task and skills of workers. Or, when workers are not sure if they are doing things right because there is little direction or supervision leading to a lack of confidence and loss of security. This leadership style might also encourage slack when people are less proactive without being directly monitored by senior management.
A laissez-faire leader (https://www.britannica.com/money/laissez-faire) is one who has minimal direct input in the work of employees, but allows subordinates to make their own decisions and to complete tasks in their own way instead. The leader is there to provide a coordinating and supporting role for his team members. Laissez-faire leaders delegate virtually all authority and decision-making powers to workers. While they set business objectives with or without any input from workers, they leave execution up to employees to decide how best to achieve these using resources available to them. In the end, coordination and decision-making can be time-consuming since there is a lack of direct supervision or support throughout the task.
Laissez-faire leadership style is used in businesses where creativity is important such as art and fashion, in advertising agencies, by developers of computer software, etc. This leadership style is also effective for workers involved in the Research and Development (R&D) of new products as well as research institutions conducting scientific discoveries where experts in their fields of work perform best without tight supervision, interference in their work or restrictions from senior management. However, this style is not suitable for businesses or situations that require quick decision-making or where execution of the new business strategy cannot be prolonged. Nor in firms which do not have good teamwork or the goodwill of employees to achieve the organizations goals.
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In summary, laissez-faire leadership gives little or no direction to employees. The leadership responsibilities are shared by all, so it can be very useful in businesses where creative ideas are important. It may also be highly motivational, as people have control over their working life. But it must rely on good team work and interpersonal relations. Employees are expected to understand the work that needs to be done, and methods, details, and decisions are left to individual employees or teams. Employees are generally allowed to do their work with little management overview or involvement. This can make coordination and decision making time-consuming and lacking in overall direction though.
