Leadership Style

Unit I Leadership Style Video Transcript

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Dr. Sonya Rogers: In this unit, we will compare various leadership styles and

how each of those styles can impact organizational performances. Dr.

Hargadon, could you give an example of what you think about this thinking

and how leaders can use different styles to work with their followers and

how to motivate them to perform well?

Dr. John Hargadon: Sure, so when we talk about leadership styles, what we

typically talk about is the approach, right? How the leader is actually going

to interact with their followers. And so, the leader, typically, the classic

model is going to be sort of an autocratic style on one end of a continuum,

which is going to be the leader makes all the decision and then sort of

dictates down to the followers in the organization what's going to happen.

And on the other end of the continuum, is going the sort of the democratic

approach, democratic style, which is where the leader is going to solicit

input. It's going to

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be more of a group decision, collaborative type decision-making. And so,

depending upon what type of organization you're in, the leader is going to

be somewhere on that continuum. Very few leaders are purely autocratic or

purely democratic; there's going to be some sort of a flow back and forth in

organizations.

The type of organizations have a lot to do with which one is going to be most

effective. But potentially, the most important variable's going to be the

follower. How does the follower react? And so, good leaders need to

understand that there are different styles, different ways to deliver their

leadership.

And if they're able to effectively do that, it can significantly improve

organizational performance.

Sonya: So there is no one set style?

John: That is correct.