Leadership Styles

Tells (Autocratic)
The manager makes all the decisions and issues instructions which must be obeyed without a question.

Strengths
 Quick decisions can be taken when speed is required.
 It is the most efficient type of leadership for highly programmed routine work.

Weaknesses
 Communication between the manager and subordinates will be one way.
 It does not encourage contribution or initiative from subordinates.

Sells (Persuasive)
The manager still makes all the decisions but explains them to subordinates and attempts to motivate subordinates to carry them out willingly.

Strengths
• Staff will bare a better idea of what they do, because the manager or the leader will have explained his intentions.

Weaknesses
• Subordinates will not necessarily be committed to decisions in which they have not been involved.
• It may be felt to be “tells” style dressed up with pretended concerns for employees views.

Consult (Participative)
The manager confers (talks) with subordinates and take their views and feelings into consideration but retains the rights to make final decision.

Strengths
• Employees are involved in decisions. This encourages motivation through greater interest & involvement.
• Employees can contribute their knowledge & experiences to help in solving problems related to their work.

Weaknesses
 It may take longer to take decisions
 Subordinates might be limited in their view point on organizational issues
 If the managers does not take employees advises, they might perceive the process to be meaningless.


Joins (Democratic)
Leaders and followers make the decisions together on the basis of consensus or compromise and agreement.

Strengths
 It can provide high commitment to the decisions reached.
 It takes advantage of the knowledge and expertise of individuals in different areas for high quality, flexible decision making.

Weaknesses
• The authority of the manager might be undermined
• Decision making might become very long process
• Clear-cut decisions might be difficult to reach.

“Successful managers or leaders should adopt the correct style at the correct situation”