Authoritarian vs Democratic Leadership: Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles?

The degree of leader influence, with authoritarian leaders exhibiting high influence, democratic leaders exhibiting moderate influence, and laissez-faire leaders exhibiting little to no influence.

What does it mean to be an authoritarian leader, and what behaviors are characteristic of this style?

An authoritarian leader is one who exhibits high influence and is characterized by behaviors such as structuring work, laying out ground rules, closely supervising followers, and believing in rewarding and punishing followers.

How do our personal leadership styles vary, and what factors influence these variations?

Our personal leadership styles can vary depending on the circumstances, and although we tend to exhibit primarily one style over the others, they are not fixed.

What is the significance of identifying one's primary leadership style, and how can this knowledge be used to improve leadership and collaboration?

Identifying one's primary leadership style is important because it allows leaders to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to adapt their style to suit the needs of their team and the situation, leading to more effective leadership and collaboration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Leadership Styles Questionnaire, and what insights can it provide about one's leadership style?

The Leadership Styles Questionnaire is designed to provide insights into one's primary leadership style, whether it is authoritarian, democratic, or laissez-faire, and to help leaders understand their strengths and weaknesses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that influences a leader's behaviors and style?

Their personal leadership philosophy Signup and view all the answers

What are the three most commonly observed leadership styles associated with Theory X and Theory Y?

Authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire Signup and view all the answers

How does a leader's philosophy impact their leadership style?

It affects their behaviors and actions towards followers in various contexts Signup and view all the answers

What is leadership style defined as?

The behaviors of leaders, focusing on what leaders do and how they act Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between an authoritarian and democratic leadership style?

Authoritarian leaders tend to be more controlling and dictatorial, while democratic leaders are more participative and empowering Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary work on styles of leadership that analyzed the impact of various leadership styles on small group behavior?

The primary work on styles of leadership was by Lewin, Lippitt, and White (1939) Signup and view all the answers

What were the three leadership styles used by adult leaders in the study by Lewin and colleagues?

Authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire Signup and view all the answers

Can a leader display only one style of leadership at a time?

No, a leader can display more than one style of leadership in any given situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is similar between the authoritarian leadership style and Theory X?

Authoritarian leaders perceive followers as needing direction. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the study by Lewin and colleagues?

A detailed description of the nature of the leadership behaviors used for each of the three styles and the impact each had on group members. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Leadership Philosophy and Style

A person's leadership philosophy affects their leadership style, which is driven by their beliefs about human nature and work.
Understanding the philosophical underpinnings of one's leadership style is crucial.

Leadership Style

Leadership style is defined as the behaviors of leaders, focusing on what leaders do and how they act.
It includes leaders' actions toward followers in various contexts.
Leadership style is driven by personal leadership philosophy.

Common Leadership Styles

Authoritarian style: mirrors Theory X, characterized by a need for control and close supervision of followers.
Democratic style: mirrors Theory Y, characterized by a more hands-off approach, allowing followers to make decisions.
Laissez-faire style: characterized by little to no influence over followers.

Leadership Continuum

Leadership styles occur along a continuum, from high leader influence (authoritarian) to low leader influence (laissez-faire).
Democratic style falls in the middle, with a moderate amount of influence.

Flexibility in Leadership Style

Personal leadership styles are not fixed and may vary depending on circumstances.
A leader may exhibit aspects of multiple styles in different situations.

Historical Research on Leadership Styles

Lewin, Lippitt, and White (1939) conducted a study on the impact of leadership styles on small group behavior.
The study analyzed the effects of authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles on groups of 10-year-old boys.

Authoritarian Leadership Style

Authoritarian leaders perceive followers as needing direction and close supervision.
This style is similar to Theory X, emphasizing the need for control and structure.

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of different leadership styles, including authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire approaches. Learn how to characterize your leadership style and its effects on collaboration.

Leadership Styles: Authoritarian, Democratic, Laissez-Faire