Explain the various leadership styles.

(i) Autocratic Leadership Style:

Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader tends to run the show all by himself.

Characteristics:

(i) Centralised Authority: In this style, a manager is not prepared to share his authority and responsibility with others. Consequently, all the authority of work performance remains centralised.

(ii) Single-man Decisions: In this style of leadership, the manager himself takes all the decisions. He takes it for granted that he does not need any other individual.

(2) Democratic Leadership Style:

Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader consults with his subordinates before making any final decision.

Characteristics:

(i) Cooperative Relations: The chief characteristic of this style is the existence of cooperative relations among the managers and the employees. Participation in the management decisions gives the employees a feeling of self-respect, as a result of which the employees are always ready to be cooperative in every way.

(ii) Belief in Employees: The managers inherently believe that the employees by nature want to work, do their work with interest, accept their responsibility and try to perform their work in a good manner. This faith of the managers in the employees increases their morale.

(3) Laissez-faire or Free-rein Leadership Style:

Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader gives his subordinates complete freedom to make decisions. Characteristics:

(i) Full Faith in Subordinates: A prominent characteristic of this style is that the managers consider their subordinates capable, active and responsible individuals and have full faith in them.

(ii) Independent Decision-making System: In this style, the management-related decisions are taken by the subordinates instead of the managers. They can, however, consult the managers.