TYPES OF

LEADERSHIP
Pranav Arya
BCA(M)

Institute of Information Technology and

Management(IITM)
What is Leadership?
Leadership is the process of
influencing the behavior of others
towards the accomplishment of
goals in a given situation.
Koontz and ODonnell have
defined leadership as
Influencing people to follow the
achievement of a common goal.
 These are main
types
of Leadership
Autocratic or Authoritarian
Leadership.
Democratic or Participative
Leadership.
Free-rein or Laissez-fair
Leadership.
LEADERSHIP STYLES
 Autocratic Leadership
An autocratic leader exercise complete
control over the subordinates.
He centralizes power in himself and takes
all decisions without consulting the
subordinates.
He dominates and drives his group through
command.
He loves power and never delegates
authority.
He gives order and expects the
subordinates to follow them
unquestioningly.
 Advantages
It permits quick decision.
It provides strong motivation and
satisfaction to the leader.
Less competent subordinates are
needed at lower level.
This style may yield positive
results when great speed is
required.
 Disadvantages
Itleads to low morale, frustration
and conflict among subordinates.
Subordinates tend to shrink
responsibility and initiative.
Full potential of subordinates and
their creative ideas are not
utilized.
Organizational continuity is
threatened in the absence of the
leader.
Democratic Leadership
A democratic leader takes
decision in consultation with
subordinates.
He decentralizes authority and
allows the subordinates to share
his power.
A democratic leader provides
freedom of thinking and
expression.
He listen to suggestions,
 Advantages
It improves the job satisfaction
and morale of subordinates.
It cultivates the decision making
ability of subordinates.
The leader multiplies his abilities
through the contribution of his
followers.
The quality of decision is
improved.
 Disadvantages
Itleads to low morale, frustration
and conflict among subordinates.
Subordinates tend to shrink
responsibility and initiative.
Full potential of subordinates and
their creative ideas are not
utilized.
Organizational continuity is
threatened in the absence of the
leader.
 Free-rein Leadership
Free-rein leadership involves
complete delegation of authority
so that subordinates themselves
take decision.
The leader avoid power and
relinquishes the leadership
position.
He serves only as a contact to
bring the information and
resources needed by the
 Advantages
Positive effect on job satisfaction
and morale of subordinates.
Maximum possible scope for
development of subordinates
Full utilization of the potential of
subordinates
 Disadvantages
Subordinates do not get the
guidance and support of the
leader.
It ignores the leaders
contribution just as autocratic
style ignores subordinate
contribution.
Subordinates may move in
different directions and may work
at cross purposes which may
 Comparison between Leadership Styles

S. No Point of Autocratic Style Democratic Style Free-rein Style

comparison
1 Decision-making Leader sole decision Leader makes decision in Subordinates
maker consultation with themselves make
subordinates decisions
2 Communication One way Two-way communication Free flow of
(downward)commun communication.
ication
3 Motivation Fear and punishment Rewards and involvement Self direction ad self-
technique (negative incentives) (positive incentives) control

4 Nature of Implicit obedience Interchange of ideas and Self discipline or

discipline of orders and recognition of human control
instructions values
5 Authority Strict supervision Delegation of authority Complete delegation of
delegation and control. No authority
delegation
6 Focus Task- oriented style People oriented style People oriented style

7 Needs Physiological Ego needs Self-actualization needs

8 Opportunity to No scope for Scope for initiative and Full scope for initiative
subordinates initiative creativity creativity We style. and creativity You
I style. style.