Assignment Task for Unit – Understanding Leadership

Understand leadership styles
1. AC 1.1 -Describe the factors that will influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations. ( 24 Marks)
Before describing factors that influence a manager’s chosen style it is first necessary to identify what these styles actually are. Leadership studies stem back as far as the mid 19th century with the “Great man theory”, just as the title suggests the theory implies that only men hold the characteristics to become leaders and assumes that the traits are intrinsic or rather that leaders are born. Much later studies such as Tannenbaum & Schmidt’s Continuum looked at the balance between the use of authority by
2. AC 1.2 - Explain why these leadership styles or behaviours are likely to have a positive or negative effect on individual and group behaviour. ( 24 Marks)

Autocratic / directing

Advantages – When an autocratic style is adopted the team plays no active part in the decision making process. Used under the correct circumstances though this style will yield the required output and in a timely fashion working well in time critical situations when a decision is required urgently. This style can also be advantageous when heading up projects were clear objectives and time scales are required.

Disadvantages – The drawbacks to an autocratic style if used inappropriately or in the wrong situation could be that you are conceived as controlling almost bossy, this may ultimately lead to resentment within the team or from individuals alike. Another point to consider is that an autocratic leadership styles can lead to a lack of creative solutions being generated by the team as they become dependent upon instructions from management, this can ultimately become detrimental not only to performance but also lowers morale.

Democratic

Advantages – The team are given the opportunity to express their ideas and