1. Autocratic Leadership Style Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader tends to run the show all by himself.
Characteristics:
i. Centralised Authority: In this style, a manager is not prepared to share his authority and responsibility with others. Consequently, all the authority of work performance remains centralised.
ii. Single-man Decisions: In this style of leadership, the manager himself takes all the decisions. He takes it for granted that he does not need any other individual.
2. Democratic Leadership Style Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader consults with his subordinates before making any final decision.
Characteristics:
i. Cooperative Relations: The chief characteristic of this style is the existence of cooperative relations among the managers and the employees. Participation in the management decisions gives the employees a feeling of self-respect, as a result of which the employees are always ready to be cooperative in every way.
ii. Belief in Employees: The managers inherently believe that the employees by nature want to work, do their work with interest, accept their responsibility and try to perform their work in a good manner. This faith of the managers in the employees increases their morale.
3. Laissez-faire or Free-rein Leadership Style Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader gives his subordinates complete freedom to make decisions. Characteristics:
i. Full Faith in Subordinates: A prominent characteristic of this style is that the managers consider their subordinates capable, active and responsible individuals and have full faith in them.
ii. Independent Decision-making System: In this style, the management related decisions are taken by the subordinates instead of the managers. They can, however, consult the managers.
