Leadership styles

There are many different leadership styles.

Democratic
The leader is chosen by the group and is expected to act with the wishes of the group in mind. The leader follows a course of action that represents the will of the group. Not everyone may agree, but most people mostly agree.

Autocratic
The decisions are made by the leader and the other members of the group are expected to follow. In this situation, one person makes the decisions and tells the others what to do.

Laissez-faire
The laissez-faire leader allows the members of the group unconstrained freedoms.

Anarchic
No leadership is shown and individuals or groups of people do what they want and resist efforts to organize or coordinate.

Consensus
Members of the group attempt to find a mutually agreeable solution or course of action. This is not so much a leadership style as a group style where all members agree on a course of action

Situational leadership
No single style of leadership will work in all situations; different situations will demand different styles of leadership. A leader who is responsive to the group and the situation is practising situational leadership.

In times of crisis, an autocratic leader can make sure that things get done quickly and efficiently. When time and situation permit, democratic and consensus based leadership can be very effective and make people feel more involved and can even increase satisfaction and morale within groups.