Leadership Styles

Styles of Leadership in

Public Services

• Authoritarian: This style of leadership is mainly used in the forces, such as the Army. ‘You do as I say’ the leader has absolute power and his authority is never questioned. There is a big power gap between the leader and team member; this means the team members will always do exactly as the leader tells them. The leader will expect immediate and willing obedience, also known as blind obedience, meaning no matter what instruction given, even to kill, the team members will obey. The motivation is often through fear of punishment.

Advantages of this style are efficiency and all tasks are done well. E.g. soldiers in the army under heavy fire, if the captain tells you to do something you have to do it or the consequences could put you and others in danger.

Disadvantages of this style of leadership are that most people do not like being told what to do all the time. Soldiers with this type of leader could eventually become depressed from constant abuse.

• Democratic: In this style of leadership the team members are much more involved. The leader is still the main man but is much more like a chairperson than a leader and is always a part of the team. The whole team will communicate and make suggestions to come to an agreed conclusion. When planning for a raid in the police force this style of leadership will be used. All team members will have a chance to make suggestions.

Advantages of this style are that everyone has the chance to give their opinion. This style is more laidback that authoritarian.

Disadvantages are that because is it more laid back the team members will generally not try as hard to get the job done as there is little fear of punishment and little motivation.

• Laissez Faire is a style of leadership that is not used much in the services. It means: ‘let them do what they want’. Very few orders are given, those that are, are generally not enforced. The team are free to do what they like, when they like. There is no fear of punishment and no motivation.

Advantages of this style are that the team members will enjoy having the freedom of doing what they like, when they like, although for the uniformed services there are no advantages.

Disadvantages are that nothing will get done; the few orders that are given will not be done quickly or with care.

• Transactional style of leadership is very different in the sense that it is ‘authoritarian’ and ‘laissez faire’. The leader’s power comes from being able to reward and punish the team members. There is no monitoring of the team so the only motivation is through reward and punishment. It is ‘authoritarian’ because there is a big power gap and is ‘laissez faire’ because there is no monitoring. The army would probably use this style as punishing bad behaviour will usually motivate soldiers to do better and rewarding good work will convince them to do more.

Advantages: if the team is motivated by reward and punishment then this leadership style will work. By rewarding good work and punishing bad the people will do they are told and work well.

Disadvantages: some people, if punished will lose confidence and not work as well, so reward and punishment may not be the best method for all people.