Three major Leadership Styles

Psychologist Kurt Lewin set out to identify different styles of leadership and eventually had established three major leadership styles.

1. Authoritarian Leadership (Autocratic) - these leaders provide clear expectations for what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how it should be done. There is also a clear division between the leader and the followers. Authoritarian leaders make decisions independently with little or no input from the rest of the group.

2. Participative Leadership (Democratic) - these leaders encourage group members to participate, but retain the final say over the decision-making process. Group members feel engaged in the process and are more motivated and creative.

3. Delegative (Laissez-Faire) - these leaders offer little or no guidance to group members and leave decision-making up to group members. While this style can be effective in situations where group members are highly qualified in an area of expertise, it often leads to poorly defined roles and a lack of motivation.

References: Lewin, K., LIippit, R. and White, R.K. (1939). Patterns of aggressive behavior in experimentally created social climates. Journal of Social Psychology, 10, 271-301
What style of leadership do your congressional leaders possess? If you don't know, you should find out and you should hold your elected officials accountable for their actions (or lack of action).

Why not write to your representatives and ask them about their voting record, what style of leadership they have and what they are doing to proactively represent you!

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