The laissez-faire leadership style
This management style is found primarily in young companies with a flat hierarchy. The team works independently and makes independent decisions, the manager stays out of day-to-day business. The employees enjoy a lot of freedom with this management style and can live out their full potential. Since the self-determination of the employees is very high, a high level of trust in the team must be created here. Clear rules and structures help here. With the laissez-fair management style, you usually achieve a high level of motivation and promote creativity. However, the manager must ensure that communication within the team works. If one person is no longer in charge, important information can be lost.
The authoritarian leadership style
The authoritarian leadership style is mostly at home in large corporations or family businesses. Here, the decision-making power lies solely with the manager, according to the top-down principle. This allows quick decisions, but slows down the team's possibilities, since everything depends on one person. In addition, this management style can demotivate the employees, since their opinion or input is not sought - they cannot contribute their own ideas.
The collaborative leadership style
The collaborative leadership style is the middle ground of both previous leadership styles. The team and the manager are in regular contact. The team gives its input on certain topics and is involved in processes - but the manager decides alone. This ensures a very positive working atmosphere because the employee feels heard. This management style is usually also a preliminary stage to the laissez-fair management style, since more and more powers are being handed over and the employees can organize their work more and more freely. However, it is important to note that the manager does not lose any authority.
The situational leadership style
The situational leadership style depends on the person to be led. Every employee is managed individually, since every person is different. Management is adapted to the maturity level of the employee. The process goes from the strict allocation of tasks, through involvement in processes, to personal responsibility in day-to-day business. This management style can significantly increase the productivity of a team, since the work is adapted to the personal potential of the employees. However, the manager must be specially trained in order to develop a feeling for the handling of the employees. The risk of unequal treatment should also not be neglected. Differences in the team construct must be clearly communicated in advance.
Which management style you choose is up to you. Depending on the industry, the number of employees and their activities, you must adapt your management style to the relevant circumstances. Find your right leadership style.
