What is Autocratic, Democratic, Bureaucratic and Laissez-Faire?

Autocratic leadership involves the direct use of instructions given to carry out specific jobs. Autocratic leadership has no input from subordinates and only the leader can make the decisions. They order others and give them specific tasks. Autocratic leadership does not promote the use of independence and creativity to solve problems but rather with instructions that have been set and must be followed. The advantages of this form of leadership includes the assurance of the job being done as you want it and that any new or sluggish workers can do the job efficiently. The downsides of using this form of leadership include the higher risk of worker turnover due to the feel of being under dictatorship. It also includes the lack of contribution given by some workers making them feel worse about being in the organization.

Autocratic Leadership is all about control
N.d. Photograph. Autocratic Leader with a Remote Control. Leadership-Toolbox.com, 2008. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://www.leadership-toolbox.com/images/AutocratwithRemoteSM.jpg>.

Democratic leadership uses worker’s ideas and opinions to make a decision. Democratic leadership is often known as consultative leadership. This form of leadership promotes member engagement and promotes creativity and initiative. It has been proven to improve productivity and member satisfaction. Democratic leadership improves member loyalty and makes them feel that they really play an important role in shaping the company. Although so, democratic leadership is sometimes taken for granted and some members will start to be overconfident. Democratic leadership is also not the best way to deal with problems that arise suddenly or for any emergencies.

Democratic Leadership gives power to everyone in an organization
N.d. Photograph. Democracy in Ancient Athens. Ancient Greece for Kids. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://greece.mrdonn.org/athens1.gif>.

Bureaucratic leadership is a form of leadership that stands by the rules and has a set system to work. Bureaucratic leadership is best for jobs such as construction, banking or working in power plants. This form of leadership ensures a high level or safety and accuracy to get the job done. Bureaucratic leadership improves the level of efficiency and management in some organizations as well. The downside of this form of leadership is that it limits possibilities and flexibility. If any single member were to break the set of rules, there is also a high chance of a major error.

Bureaucratic Leadership needs to follow the rules and requires approval from superiors
N.d. Photograph. UFS, Inc., 2006. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://young-leaders-academy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bureaucracy.jpg>.

Laissez-Faire leadership is almost completely based on independence. In French, ‘Laissez Faire’ is defined as ‘Let Him/Them Do’. The leader basically just tells what is the main task and the members have to independently plan and complete the task. This task requires experienced or professional members and can be good in the sense that it increases creativity and problem-solving skills among the members. The leader would only serve by providing materials and minimal help, the members do everything else. This form is beneficial only if members are experienced and motivated to work by themselves. This form of leadership is not very useful among new workers that do not know the basics yet and among lazy or sluggish workers that do not want to work independently and tend to lose track of the task very easily.

Laissez-Faire Leadership gives the member independence to complete a project with minimal supervision
N.d. Photograph. The Faux-poet. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://www.e-manonline.com/images/entry/laissezfaire.jpg>.

For Reference:

Autocratic Leadership:

Cherry, Kendra. "What Is Autocratic Leadership?" About.com Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/f/autocratic-leadership.htm>.

"Leadership Styles: Autocratic Leadership." Leadership Styles: Autocratic Leadership. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://www.leadership-toolbox.com/autocratic-leadership.html>.

Democratic Leadership:

Cherry, Kendra. "What Is Democratic Leadership?" About.com Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/f/democratic-leadership.htm>.

"Leadership Styles: Democratic Leadership Style." The Democratic Leadership Style. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://www.leadership-toolbox.com/democratic-leadership-style.html>.

Bureaucratic Leadership:
"Bureaucratic Leadership." Leadership Lime. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://www.leadershiplime.com/Bureaucratic-Leadership.html>.

Fleming, Grace. "Student Leadership Styles." About.com Homework / Study Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://homeworktips.about.com/od/studymethods/ss/leadership_3.htm>.

Laissez-Faire Leadership:

Cherry, Kendra. "What Is Laissez-Faire Leadership?" About.com Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/f/laissez-faire-leadership.htm>.

"Laissez-Faire - Leadership Styles." Laissez-Faire - Leadership Styles. Ed. Kaitlyn Rytwinski. N.p., 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Sept. 2013. <https://sites.google.com/site/leadershipstylesinteams/leadership-style>.