Leadership the concept

A process of influencing others towards the

accomplishment of goals.
It is the ability of a manager to induce subordinates to
work with zeal and confidence
It is the activity of influencing people to strive
willingly for group objectives.
Features :
*Existence of followers * Willing Interpersonal
influence
*Uneven power sharing * Happy reconciliation of goals
*Situational * Continuous process
*Lukeworm desire transformed into burning passion
for accomplishment
*Something that a person does, not something he/she
has. It is
something that emerges and grows.

Leaders vs Managers
Leader
Narrow term

Manager
Wider term. More than a leader

No organised structure needed. Requires an organised structure

Can exist in unorganised groups.
Activity of influencing people to Exercises functions like PODSC to
strive willingly for group goals
achieve group goals. Leadership
is an aspect of one of these
functions
Get authority by virtue of their Get formal authority delegated
skills, abilities and situational from above.
demands.
Have fully committed followers

Have people to supervise and

follow directives, who may not be
fully committed

Expected to be charismatic, Expected to be rational decision

exciting, visionary, capable of makers and problem solvers
altering the mood of followers,
raising hopes and aspirations
Expected to be more sensitive to Expected to be more sensitive to

Leadership Styles

Authoritarian/ Autocratic/ Directive /

Coercive
Centralised power and decision
making
Close supervision and control
Discipline through rewards/
punishments
One-way communication
Total dependence of subordinates on

Authoritarian/ Autocratic/ Directive / Coercive

Advantages

Disadvantages

Decision can be taken quickly.

Control can be centralised for
orderly operations

May result in low motivation

when employees are not allowed
to be part of the decision making
process and only expected to
follow orders

Well-developed leadership skills

can be applied directly to group
activities

Very little scope for developing

the creative potential of
employees

Can take direct control when

there emerges a major crisis or
emergency

Subordinates tend to develop

defensiveness, consistently looks
for ways and means to avoid
responsibility

Suitable for managing

inexperienced, insecure and
incompetent subordinates

One way communication may

lead to misunderstandings at
various levels

Offers consistence in goals and

procedures by leaders taking
decisions

Overdependence on leader.
Matters move slowly and become
difficult to adapt to change

Participative or Democratic Style

Features :
Involves people in decision making and goal setting
Attitudes, feelings , suggestions of members are
given due importance
Freedom of action and thinking permitted to a
reasonable extent, even encouraged within
limitations
Two-way open communication between members
Opportunity to use and harness ones potential in
the service of the organisation exists

Participative or Democratic Style

Advantages
Motivates people to do better

Disadvantages
Individuals may dominate the
participation or make disruptive
contributions

Knowledge and experience of the Very time consuming approach

members can be used to take from the leaders point of view
sound decisions
Individual abilities get developed Participation may be used as an
through participation
instrument to pass the buck to
subordinates
Members feel committed and Decisions get diluted, when
there is less resistance to change. attempts are made to please
A sense of affiliation develops
everyone
Members
develop
healthy Participation might be viewed as
attitudes towards the leader, the a sign of inefficiency and
work and the orgs.
incompetency on the part of the
leader
Two-way communication keeps Participation may be used to
members informed and updated manipulate
people
to
suit
about the happenings in the orgs. personal ends

Laissez-Faire or Free-rein Style

Features :

Group members set goals and decide everything

on their own
Leader is a passive observer of things
Leader does not control, does not decide or
exercise influence over the group
Leader abdicates responsibility
Members operate in an unrestricted environment
Communication is open and can take any
direction
Members are aware of their goals, have accepted
them, are highly knowledgeable, well-trained,
highly self motivated, sincere, duty conscious.

Laissez-Faire or Free-rein Style

Advantages

Disadvantages

Working independently may very Activities may suffer owing to

motivational for some people
lack of coordination
May encourage and breed a Group objectives may be ignored
culture of innovation, creativity and
individuals
goals
may
and suggestions
dominate activities
Group is flexible and can adapt Lack of control may
quickly to change
disruptive behaviour

lead

to

Open and direct communication Individuals may go their own

with
opportunity
for
self- ways resulting in confusion and
expression
chaos
May increase the quality of life
for some group members