Assignment

Subject - Management Theory and Practice

Topic – Leadership Functions, Characteristics and Styles of Leadership

Submitted By:
Prajwal.R
Roll No:20
M.com Pervious
MPM. Govt. First Grade College, Karkala

Submitted To:

Mr. Manjunatha.B
Assistant Professor
Department of Post-Graduation Studies in Commerce
MPM. Govt. First Grade College, Karkala

Submitted On:16.11.2024

Prajwal R

Signature of student Faculty Signature

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 INDEX

SL No Topic Page no
1 Meaning of Leadership 3
2 Definition of Leadership 3
3 Functions of Leadership 4-5
4 Characteristics or Features of Leadership 5-6

Distinctions between Manager and

5 6-7
Leader

6 Formal and Informal leaders 7

Meaning and Different styles of 8
7
leadership
8 Autocratic leadership 9
9 Democratic leadership 10
10 Charismatic Leadership 11
11 Laissez-faire leadership 11-12
12 Transformational leadership 12-13

12 Transactional Leadership 13-14

13 Coaching Leadership 14-15

14 Bureaucratic leadership 15

Collaborative leadership 16
15

16 Reference 17

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 Leadership

Meaning

Leadership is a process by which an executive can direct, guide and influence the
behavior and work of others towards accomplishment of specific goals in a given
situation. Leadership is the ability of a manager to induce the subordinate to work
with confidence and zeal.

Leadership is the potential to influence behaviour of others. It is also defined as

the capacity to influence a group towards the realization of a goal. Leaders are
required to develop future visions, and to motivate the organizational members to
want to achieve the visions.

Definition:

Chester Barnard viewed leadership as the quality of behavior of individuals whereby they
guide people or their activities in organizing efforts.

In the words of Louis A. Allen, “A leader is one who guides and directs other people.
He gives the effort of his followers a direction and purpose by
influencing their behaviour.”

According to Theo Haimann , “Leadership is the process by which an executive

imaginatively directs, guides and influences the work of others in choosing and
attaining specified goals by mediating between the individuals and the organization in
such a manner that both will obtain maximum satisfaction.”

Functions of Leadership:

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 1. Determination of Goals: A leader performs the creative function of laying
down goals and policies for the followers. He acts as a guide in interpreting
the goals and policies.

2. Organization of Activities: A good leader divides organization activities

among the employees in a systematic manner. The relationship between
them are clearly laid down. This reduces the chances of conflict between
them.

3. Achieving Coordination: A leader integrates the goals of the individuals

with the organizational goals and creates a community of interests. He keeps
himself informed about the working of the group. He shares information
with the group for the coordination of its efforts.

4. Representation of Group: A leader is representative of his group. He takes

initiative in all matters of interest to the group. He also attempts to fulfil the
psychological needs of his followers.

5. Providing Guidance: A leader guides the subordinates towards the

achievement of organizational objectives. He is available for advice whenever a
subordinate faces any problem.

6. Inspiration of Employees: A good leader inspires the subordinates for better

performance .Motivation is necessary for getting the desired work from the
subordinates. The leader motivates the employees by providing them economic
and non-economic rewards.

7.Building Employees’ Morale: Good leadership is indispensable to high

employee morale. The leader shapes the thinking and attitudes of the group. He
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 develops good human relations and facilitates interactions between the members
of the group. He maintains voluntary cooperation and discipline among
followers.

8)Facilitating Change: Leadership is the mechanism to convince workers

about the need for change. Dynamic leadership is the corner-stone of
organizational change. An effective leader is able to overcome resistance to
hange on the part of workers and thus facilitate change.

Characteristics/Features of Leadership:

1. Leadership is a process of influence: Leadership is a process whose important

ingredient is the influence exercised by the leader on group members. A person is
said to have an influence over others when they are willing to carry out his wishes
and accept his advice, guidance and direction. Successful leaders are able to
influence the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of their followers.

2. Leadership is related to a situation: When we talk of leadership, it is always

related to a particular situation, at a given point of time and under a specific set
of circumstances. That means leadership style will be different under different
circumstances. At one point of time, the subordinates may accept autocratic
behavior of the leader while at a different point of time and under a different set of
circumstances, only participative leadership style may be successful. That is why,
it is said that leadership is always particular and not general.

3. Leadership is the function of stimulation: Leadership is the function of

motivating people to strive willingly to attain organizational objectives. Leaders
are considered successful when they are able to subordinate the individual
interests of the employees to the general interest of the organization. A
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 successful leader allows his subordinates to have their individual goals set up by
themselves in such a way that they do not conflict with the organizational
objectives. When this congruency is achieved, workers act enthusiastically to
achieve these goals.

4. Leadership gives an experience of helping attain the common objectives: Under

successful leadership, every person in the organization feels that his operation,
however minor it may be, is vital to the attainment of organizational objectives. It
happens when the manager feels the importance of individuals gives them recognition
and tells them about the importance of activities performed by them.

5. Employees must be satisfied with the type of leadership provided: Only short-
term productivity of employees can be increased by pressure punishment. This
approach is not in the long-term interests of the organization. Force generates
counter-force which results in a decreased long-term productivity. Long-term interest
of the organization is best served when managers allow subordinates to influence
their behavior, particularly when subordinates are knowledgeable and competent. A
good manager recognizes the fact that leadership is a shared function. A good leader
shares everything with his followers; he shares credit, he shares blame, he shares
ideas, opinion and experience

Distinction between Manager and Leader:

Manager(Boss) Leader
1 .He drives and orders. 1. He coaches and advises.

2. He depends on his authority. 2. He depends on his confidence and goodwill

3. He engenders fear. 3. He inspires enthusiasm.

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 4. He fixes blames and finds faults. 4. He solves problems.
5. He knows all the answers. 5. He consults and seeks advice.
6. He makes the work drudgery. 6. He makes the work a game.
7. He believes in “I” 7. He believes in “We” and “You”.
.

Formal and Informal Leaders:

It has been observed above that a manager should also be a good leader. But in
actual practice, every manager is not able to provide the kind of leadership desired
by his subordinates. This gives rise to informal leaders who do not hold any
managerial post in the organization. A formal leader, on the other hand, is one who
possesses organizational authority to direct and control the activities of his
subordinates. He can issue orders and instructions to his subordinates by virtue of
his formal authority in the organization. An informal leader is elected by the
workers themselves and is not appointed by the management, as in case of a formal
leader.

Sometimes, informal leaders become more acceptable to the workers as

compared to the formal leaders. In such a situation, the formal leaders become the
position-holders only. They are not able to achieve the voluntary cooperation of
the workers in all matters. It is also true that a work-group may have different
leaders for different purposes. The members of a work-group may be influenced
by one leader while doing their jobs. But as regards their personal problems, they
may go to another leader for advice. Still they may follow another leader as far as
their recreation is concerned.

Management often tries to suppress informal leaders. But it should be

remembered that the trouble they cause reflects the desires of the group. If they are
suppressed, the workers may become more antagonistic to management, morale
may fall even lower and new informal leaders may step to the fore. Therefore, it is
better to work with informal leaders. There are many ways in which a manager can
build up good relations with the informal leaders working with him. Among other
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 things, he can pass necessary information to them first, seek their advice on
technical and human relations problems, and assign them to train others.

STYLES OF LEADERSHIP

Meaning of Leadership style

Leadership styles refer to a leader’s behavioral pattern. A leadership style is the result

Of the leader’s philosophy, personality, experience and value system.

Leadership style depends upon the type of followers and the atmosphere prevailing in
the organization.

Different styles of leadership are as follows:

1. Autocratic Leadership

2. Democratic Leadership

3. Charismatic Leadership

4. Laissez-Faire Leadership

5. Transformational Leadership

6. Transactional Leadership

7. Coaching Leadership

8. Bureaucratic leadership

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 9. Collaborative leadership

1. Autocratic leadership

Autocratic leadership is defined by a top-down approach when it comes to all decision-making,

procedures, and policies within an organization. An autocratic leader focuses less on collecting
input from team members and tends to make executive decisions that others are expected to
follow.

Advantages

• Can be efficient, especially when it comes to decision making

• Keeps teams cohesive and consistent since one person is taking charge

• May make everyone’s individual roles clearer since they’ll be delegated specific duties
and won’t be encouraged to step outside of that role

Disadvantages

• Can stifle creativity, collaboration, and innovation

• Doesn’t lead to diversity in thought

• May lead to disengaged individuals and teams who feel like they don’t have a voice

• Doesn’t allow any room for mentorship or professional growth

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 2. Democratic Leadership

Democratic leadership, which is also commonly known as participative leadership, is about

letting multiple people participate in the decision-making process. This type of leadership can
be seen in a wide range of contexts, from businesses to schools to governments.

Advantages

• Encourages collaboration

• Inclusive of a variety of opinions and ways of thinking

• Leads to higher group engagement and productivity

• Can result in more creative solutions

• The outcome is supported by the majority

Disadvantages

• The minority opinion is overridden

• The involvement of multiple people can lead to more communication gaps and confusion

• Can take a longer time to come to a decision

• An unskilled or untrained group can result in more decision making

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 3. Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leadership is defined by a leader who uses their communication skills,

persuasiveness, and charm to influence others. Charismatic leaders, given their ability to
connect with people on a deep level, are especially valuable within organizations that are
facing a crisis or are struggling to move forward.

Advantages

• Highly inspirational and motivating

• Encourages a sense of camaraderie, collaboration, and union

• Makes followers feel heard and understood

• Creates movement toward positive change

Disadvantages

• Can become more focused on themselves than their people

• Has the potential to become self-serving

• Frequently viewed as shallow or disingenuous

4. Laissez-Faire Leadership

Laissez-faire leadership takes a hands-off approach to leadership and gives others the freedom
to make decisions. While leaders still provide their teams with the resources and tools they
need to succeed, they remain largely uninvolved in the day-to-day work. This is a leadership
style you’ll commonly find in creative settings, such as advertising agencies or start-ups, due
to its encouragement of independent thinking.

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 Advantages

• Empowers individuals to practice their leadership skills

• Can lead to increased creativity and innovation

• Less fear of failure

• Encourages trust between team members and leader

• Instil a sense of independence

Disadvantages

• Can result in low productivity

• Conflict amongst team members is common

• May lead to confusion about roles and responsibilities

• Won’t be effective with an unskilled or unmotivated team

5. Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders create a vision based on identified needs and guide their teams
toward that unified goal through inspiration and motivation. The main difference between
transformational leadership and the other styles we’ve covered so far is that this one is focused
on changing the systems and processes that aren’t working – unlike transactional leadership or
bureaucratic leadership, which don’t aim to change the status quo.

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 Advantages

• Motivating for the team

• Conducive to building strong relationships and encouraging collaboration

• Gives team members autonomy to do their jobs

• Can lead to more creativity, growth, and empathy on teams

Disadvantages

• May not be the best fit for specific organizations (i.e. bureaucratic)

• Can cause feelings of instability while disrupting the status quo

• Lots of pressure on the leader, who needs to lead by example

6. Transactional Leadership

Transactional leadership is defined by control, organization, and short-term planning. Leaders

who adopt this style rely on a system of rewards and punishment to motivate their followers.
As you can see, there are many similarities between transactional leadership and autocratic
leadership. The main difference is that transactional leadership, as the name implies, involves
a clear exchange between the leader and the team members. For instance, in exchange for
compliance and high performance, an employee might be rewarded with a promotion.

Advantages

• Can be an efficient way to reach short-term goals

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 • Clearly defines expected behaviour from team members due to system of reward and
punishment

• Provides structure and stability

Disadvantages

• Limits creativity, growth, and initiative

• May not be impactful on people who aren’t driven by extrinsic motivation

• Can be discouraging for those who are looking for professional and personal
development opportunities

7. Coaching Leadership

Coaching leadership is a style defined by collaboration, support, and guidance. Coaching

leaders are focused on bringing out the best in their teams by guiding them through goals and
obstacles.

Advantages

• Encourages two-way communication and collaboration

• Involves lots of constructive feedback

• Facilitates the personal and professional development of individuals

• Focuses on being supportive, not judgmental

• Creates opportunities for growth and creative thinking

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 Disadvantages

• Resource intensive since it requires a lot of time and energy

• Doesn’t always lead to the fastest, most efficient results

• May not be the ideal choice for high-pressure or strictly results-driven companies

8. Bureaucratic Leadership

Bureaucratic leadership relies on a clear chain of command, strict regulations, and

conformation by its followers. As the name implies, this is a leadership style that’s commonly
found in government entities, as well as military and public organizations.

Advantages

• Stable in terms of job security and outcomes

• Removes favouritism from the equation

• Very clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations

• A highly visible set of processes and regulations

Disadvantages

• Inefficient since everything has to go through a chain of command

• Doesn’t encourage an individual’s personal or professional growth

• Stifles creativity, innovation, and free thinking

• Doesn’t foster collaboration or relationship building within teams • Can make

it difficult to respond to change

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 9. Collaborative Leadership

Collaborative leadership is focused on encouraging people to work together across functional

and organizational boundaries. The purpose of this leadership style is to encourage
collaboration with other teams and departments to accomplish shared goals.

Advantages

• Can lead to more creative, innovative ways of thinking

• More opportunities for diversity

• Can strengthen cross-team relationships

• Builds trust within an organization

Disadvantages

• May lead to ambiguity in roles and responsibilities

• Can create cross-team conflict

• Potential power struggle between leaders

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 Reference Book:

 Book Title - Principle and Practice of Management

 Author Name - T. N. Chhabra

 Publisher Name - J. C Kapur for Dhanpat Rai & Sons Delhi- Jalandar

 Edition - 2007

 Page Number - 446-450

GOOGLE WEBSITE:
https://torch.io/blog/10-leadership-styles-and-their-pros-and-cons

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