Question

Discuss the differences among autocratic leadership, participative (democratic) leadership and free-rein leadership.

Answer 1

An autocratic style of leadership is mainly concerned with task oriented style . In this context most importance is given only to the work concerned and not anything else. The managers leading with such type of leadership is usually called taskmaster and they have their own ways of making things to be done. The person uses his authority to decide various things about what work has to be done, who will do the work and how it is supposed to be done. The authority is centered in the leader himself. He decides and designs workload and exercises good control over the. They are supposed to strictly follow his  directions.

A participative style of leadership is a form where employees or the team is given more importance and constant and regular input is taken from them. It is a two way communication where messages flow from one end to the other. Goal setting, decision making, planning, and defining objectives is all considered to be group efforts rather than the decision of an individual or a manager. Such leadership are concerned about both people and work.

Free reign style which is completely on the opposite side of the autocratic style of leadership gives complete freedom to the employees to make decision on how things should be done. The leader guides them on certain aspects but the employees themselves decide on how they will attain their objectives. There is least intervention of leader in this style. Communication is free flowing among all.  Employees or teams exhibit self control