Styles of leadership are neither inherently good nor inherently bad,despite the fact that one or another may become all the rage for a time.The best way to judge what leadership style is right for a particularcompany is to measure how consistent that style is with the owner'spersonality, the type of work being done, and the nature of the work force. While there are hundreds of subtle variations and scores of cute names forthem, there are really only three primary leadership styles: the autocraticleader, the laissez-faire leader, and the democratic leader. The most dictatorial leaders are the autocrats. There are the leaders knownaround the company as The Bosses. There are people who impose their will,take full responsibility for all decision making, and emphasize productover process. Autocratic leaders work best with a staff of people who areunwilling to make decisions, and are uninterested in demonstratinginitiative.With a laser-like emphasis on results, autocratic leaders can producereliable products of high quality in the most efficient manner. Theyare at their best in crises when decisions must be made swiftly -- withoutdebate and deliberation. But this autocratic style can also lead to workerresentment and disaffection, breaking down the human machinery producingthose wonderful products.The laissez-faire leaderOn the other extreme is the laissez-faire leader who rather thanholding the reins tightly, drops them altogether. Laissez-faireleadership is actually an abdication of authority. Laissez-fairemanagers eliminate all boundaries and form a de facto partnership withtheir subordinates. They are known in the company by their first name. Fora laissez-faire leader to succeed, he or she must have a cadre ofenormously dependable, skilled, organized, and conscientious workers.Laissez-faire leadership offers both the greatest rewards and thegreatest potential risks. When the combination of leader and staff workswell, it can make for a w...
