Understand Leadership Styles
1.1 Describe the factors that will influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations
The traditional concept of a leader, as being the directing chief at the top of a hierarchy, is now considered to be inadequate to truly lead a modern organisation. Leadership is concerned with people and so anyone, and indeed everybody, has the potential to demonstrate leadership qualities and behaviours.
Factors that can influence an individual’s choice of leadership in any given situation are many and varied. An individual is likely to have a primary leadership style which they are most comfortable with using. Often the primary leadership style is that which most suits their innate personality traits. For example, someone who is outgoing and assertive may prefer a more face-to-face communicative leadership style.
The level to which a leader wishes or needs to maintain control may well influence a leader’s style. A leader may prefer to micromanage as it suits their style however, if that style does not suit the situation, it may negatively impact the team and their motivation. However, it may be that the situation requires the leader to maintain a high level of control, for example in a crisis situation where the stakes are high and decisions need to be made rapidly. In general, collective and more collaborative decision making takes longer than autocratic decision making.
The structure of an organisation and its operating mechanisms could dictate the style of leadership used. Some organisations desire and encourage contributions from their employees, requiring an open and perhaps a transformational style of leadership, whereas other organisations may demand a more dictatorial style.
The level of experience that a manager has, either as a leader or within the organisation, can determine the leadership style they choose to use. If a manager is new to leadership they may be more inclined to follow the rules, processes and procedures
The traditional concept of a leader, as being the directing chief at the top of a hierarchy, is now considered to be inadequate to truly lead a modern organisation. Leadership is concerned with people and so anyone, and indeed everybody, has the potential to demonstrate leadership qualities and behaviours.
Factors that can influence an individual’s choice of leadership in any given situation are many and varied. An individual is likely to have a primary leadership style which they are most comfortable with using. Often the primary leadership style is that which most suits their innate personality traits. For example, someone who is outgoing and assertive may prefer a more face-to-face communicative leadership style.
The level to which a leader wishes or needs to maintain control may well influence a leader’s style. A leader may prefer to micromanage as it suits their style however, if that style does not suit the situation, it may negatively impact the team and their motivation. However, it may be that the situation requires the leader to maintain a high level of control, for example in a crisis situation where the stakes are high and decisions need to be made rapidly. In general, collective and more collaborative decision making takes longer than autocratic decision making.
The structure of an organisation and its operating mechanisms could dictate the style of leadership used. Some organisations desire and encourage contributions from their employees, requiring an open and perhaps a transformational style of leadership, whereas other organisations may demand a more dictatorial style.
The level of experience that a manager has, either as a leader or within the organisation, can determine the leadership style they choose to use. If a manager is new to leadership they may be more inclined to follow the rules, processes and procedures