A Comprehensive Review of Autocratic, Democratic, Laissez-Faire Styles

This essay provides an evaluation of the main features of primary managerial styles, focusing on autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire approaches. It discusses the characteristics of each style, highlighting supportive, collaborative, passive, and directive elements. The essay also explores the advantages and disadvantages associated with each management style, such as the efficiency of decision-making in autocratic leadership versus the collaborative environment fostered by democratic leadership. The laissez-faire style's impact on team independence and cohesiveness is also examined. This analysis offers insights into how different management styles affect workplace dynamics and employee performance.

Management styles

Management Styles
Management styles
 Autocratic management style
Autocratic management style is considered as the style in which the managers take the decisions
without consulting the other people and they act like the dictator who only gives order to the
people. They make choices and decisions by considering their own beliefs and they do not
involve other in taking suggestions or advice. It can be seen that these people do not consult
with anyone and take their own decisions in the workplace. The goals are set by these leaders
and also the overall participation of the employees is also controlled by them. Passive style
focuses on the creating negative feelings in the subordinates (De Hoogh, Greer and Den Hartog,
2015).
The pros of autocratic leadership style
One of the advantages which are related with autocratic leadership is that in this the decisions are
taken easily without any hindrances. There is also less feedback from the different management
and the charge is taken by an individual in the workplace.
In this style of communication, the overall process of communication enhances. It is one of the
best ways that boost the communication in the workplace. Also, with the help of this style it can
be analyzed that the overall productivity level of the employees enhances. This helps to
maximize the overall working structure of the employees (Bolman and Deal, 2017).
Cons of autocratic leadership style
When focusing on this leadership style, it can be seen that work culture is related with the leaders
only. Also, this style of leadership does not offer a sense of professional ownership as the leaders
have the charge to control the overall activities of the company. Also, in this leadership style, it
creates the system of dependence as all the employees rely on the feedback of the employees.
 Democratic management style
It can be stated that democratic management style is related to the manager who consider the
opinions and views of the employees in the workplace. In this the manager gives a chance to the
employees to contribute the ideas and views on the specific decision. In this there are two types
1

Management Styles
of democratic decision making factors related to persuasive and consultative. It can be seen that
that in persuasive the leaders focuses on making the first decision and then also persuades
workers that he or she has considered the right decisions. Consultative focuses on the process of
decision making and with the help of the leader they make the final decision. Supportive
leadership style is the part of this as in this focus is given on reducing the stress of the employees
(Beerbohm, 2015).
Pros of democratic leadership style
There are many advantages and the first is related to solution of the difficult problems. It can be
seen that it can be easy to analyze the solution of the problems which are taking place on the
routine basis. It can also been seen that this leadership styles helps to boost the create
environment as this encourages the overall innovation of the team members.
Cons of democratic leadership style
In this, it can be analyzed that it is time consuming process as there are many people who are
involved at the time of making the right decisions. In this it can also been seen that democratic
leaders wants to create an environment in which the people consider the ideas that should be
implemented. So, there are many ideas which is gathered but only one of implemented and then
they have to apologize as they have to use only one idea.
 Laissez faire leadership style
Laissez faire leadership style is also considered as the style in which the team is given the
freedom to finish the task in a proper manner. It is also considered as hand off approach in which
the management gives direction and also the managers give guidance to the employees. The
manager has to role of the mentor. It can be stated that directive leadership style emphasizes on
setting clear goals and objectives for the subordinates. Collaborative leadership is also the style
in which proper results are considered and this is the part of this style in which the managers give
all the control (Yang, 2015).
Pros of laissez faire leadership style
2

Management Styles
It can be seen that in this type of leadership the team members are allowed to enhance their own
leadership skills and also focus is given on offering the people with the experience that will help
to shine. Also through this leadership style it can be easy to create independence in the
environment.
Cons laissez faire leadership style
This leadership style minimizes the cohesiveness of the group and also allows the leaders to
avoid the leadership.
3

Management Styles
References
Beerbohm, E., 2015. Is Democratic Leadership Possible?. American Political Science
Review, 109(4), pp.639-652.
Bolman, L.G. and Deal, T.E., 2017. Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership.
John Wiley & Sons.
De Hoogh, A.H., Greer, L.L. and Den Hartog, D.N., 2015. Diabolical dictators or capable
commanders? An investigation of the differential effects of autocratic leadership on team
performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 26(5), pp.687-701.
Yang, I., 2015. Positive effects of laissez-faire leadership: conceptual exploration. Journal of
Management Development, 34(10), pp.1246-1261.
4