People in leadership positions may use a variety of "styles" in reaching a decision. Basically, these styles differ in the amount of participation they allow from those they work with.
Listed below are descriptions of five different leadership "styles." Remember, the leader NEVER gives up the AUTHORITY or the RESPONSIBILITY for the FINAL DECISION.
Style #1 YOU DECIDE ALONE. You make the decision without discussing the situation with anyone. You rely entirely on personal knowledge or information available in written documents. in this style, the leader TELLS the decision.
Style #2 YOU SEEK INFORMATION AND THEN DECIDE ALONE. You seek additional information from one or more group members to arrive at a decision. You may or may not describe the problem to them, but you solicit information only, not solutions or suggestions. With this style, the leader SELLS the decision.
Style #3 YOU CONSULT WITH INDIVIDUALS AND THEN DECIDE ALONE. You share the problem with selected individuals. You gather additional information from them and seek their advice about possible solutions to the problem. Still, you make the decision. With this style, the leader TALKS the decision.
Style #4 YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR ENTIRE GROUP AND THEN DECIDE ALONE. You meet with group members and discuss the possible alternatives, essentially using them as consultants. You may use their feelings and opinions as additional inputs, but you retain the final decision power. With this style, the leader CONSULTS regarding the decision.
Style #5 YOU SHARE THE PROBLEM WITH THE GROUP AND YOU ALL DECIDE WHAT TO DO. Here you give your group full participation in the decision-making process. You may define the problem for them, provide relevant information, and participate in the discussion as any other member, but you do not use your position as leader to influence them. The group is the decision maker, and you accept not only their decision, but also the responsibility for it. Your description to others will be, "We decided to . . .," and NOT, "The group decided to . . .." or "I decided to . . ." W this style, the leader JOINS the decision.
Remember, no single leadership style is always the appropriate style to use. As the situation changes and as the task or goals change, the style may change. Leaders should be aware of these various styles and seek to use the appropriate style in the proper situation.:hi5:
- The amount of confidence the leader has in the group to perform the task.
- The amount of trust the leader has in the group to act in a responsible and mature manner.
- The amount of confidence the leader has in himself or herself, (or possibly the fear of losing control of the group).
- The amount of security the leader feels with his own supervisor(s).
- The nature of the task the group has to perform.
- The objectives the leader wants to accomplish.
- The ethics or values of the leader.
Listed below are descriptions of five different leadership "styles." Remember, the leader NEVER gives up the AUTHORITY or the RESPONSIBILITY for the FINAL DECISION.
Style #1 YOU DECIDE ALONE. You make the decision without discussing the situation with anyone. You rely entirely on personal knowledge or information available in written documents. in this style, the leader TELLS the decision.
Style #2 YOU SEEK INFORMATION AND THEN DECIDE ALONE. You seek additional information from one or more group members to arrive at a decision. You may or may not describe the problem to them, but you solicit information only, not solutions or suggestions. With this style, the leader SELLS the decision.
Style #3 YOU CONSULT WITH INDIVIDUALS AND THEN DECIDE ALONE. You share the problem with selected individuals. You gather additional information from them and seek their advice about possible solutions to the problem. Still, you make the decision. With this style, the leader TALKS the decision.
Style #4 YOU CONSULT WITH YOUR ENTIRE GROUP AND THEN DECIDE ALONE. You meet with group members and discuss the possible alternatives, essentially using them as consultants. You may use their feelings and opinions as additional inputs, but you retain the final decision power. With this style, the leader CONSULTS regarding the decision.
Style #5 YOU SHARE THE PROBLEM WITH THE GROUP AND YOU ALL DECIDE WHAT TO DO. Here you give your group full participation in the decision-making process. You may define the problem for them, provide relevant information, and participate in the discussion as any other member, but you do not use your position as leader to influence them. The group is the decision maker, and you accept not only their decision, but also the responsibility for it. Your description to others will be, "We decided to . . .," and NOT, "The group decided to . . .." or "I decided to . . ." W this style, the leader JOINS the decision.
Remember, no single leadership style is always the appropriate style to use. As the situation changes and as the task or goals change, the style may change. Leaders should be aware of these various styles and seek to use the appropriate style in the proper situation.:hi5: