Leadership Styles

Servant Leadership has been around for many decades and has come to wider notice due to the growth in usage of Scrum. It is an alternative to following more traditional forms of leadership.

Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership is a leadership style where a leader makes all the decisions and directs all activities without input from team members. The leader assumes full control and authority over the team and expects complete obedience and compliance from team members.

In an autocratic leadership style, the leader dictates policies, sets objectives, assigns tasks, and supervises the work. They may also closely monitor the work of team members and may reprimand them for any errors or mistakes. The leader makes decisions without considering the opinions or ideas of team members.

The autocratic leadership style can be effective when quick decisions need to be made, and there is little room for error or dissent. However, this leadership style can lead to low morale, lack of motivation, and decreased productivity among team members. It may also lead to high levels of turnover as team members may feel undervalued.

Democratic Leadership

Democratic leadership is a leadership style where the leader involves their team members in decision-making and encourages participation. The leader solicits ideas, opinions, and feedback from their team members and incorporates them into decision-making.

In a democratic leadership style, the leader delegates responsibilities to their team members and allows them to take ownership of their work. The leader also provides support, guidance, and resources to help their team members achieve their goals.

The democratic leadership style promotes team members’ collaboration, innovation, and creativity. It creates a positive work environment where team members feel valued, respected, and empowered. The leader encourages open communication and fosters a culture of trust and transparency.

However, democratic leadership can also be time-consuming as it involves a lot of collaboration and discussion. It may not be suitable for situations where quick decisions need to be made or where the leader needs to exert high control over their team.

Laissez-faire Leadership

Laissez-faire leadership is a leadership style where the leader provides little to no direction or guidance to their team members. The leader delegates tasks and responsibilities to their team members and trusts them to make decisions and solve problems independently.

In a laissez-faire leadership style, the leader is hands-off and allows team members to take the lead. The leader may provide resources and support but does not actively participate in decision-making processes or monitor the work of their team members.

The laissez-faire leadership style can promote creativity and innovation among team members as they are free to explore new ideas and solutions. It can also create a sense of autonomy and ownership among team members, increasing motivation and job satisfaction.

However, the laissez-faire leadership style can also lead to confusion and a lack of direction among team members, mainly when there is a lack of clarity in goals and expectations. It may also lead to low accountability and productivity, as team members may not feel the pressure to perform or meet deadlines without active guidance or supervision.