Page 195 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

178 Chapter 7

Modern traits approaches examine a variety of complex personality characteris-
Styles Approach
tics such as enthusiasm, verbal facility, creativity, critical-thinking ability, and self-
The leadership confidence. Although they are labeled traits, they seem to represent behaviors that
approach that studies leaders perform rather than invariable, unchangeable characteristics. This approach,
the interrelationship
between leader style although intuitively appealing, is not especially helpful in our attempts to understand
and member complex leadership processes. Personality characteristics are not easily measured
behaviors. and, most important, this approach does not help distinguish between good and bad
leaders nor does it explain why leadership changes in a group. 39
Democratic Leader We believe that leadership is not a universal set of traits, but it is clear that people
Egalitarian leader with the ability to adapt their behaviors and who possess communication skills that
who coordinates and help clarify the group’s task and motivate other members will be influential in
40
facilitates discussion groups. Foreshadowing our discussion of other approaches, we believe that appro-
in small groups, priate leader behaviors in a group are shaped by the needs of the group.
encouraging
participation of all
members. Styles Approaches
Styles approaches focus on the pattern of behaviors a leader exhibits in a group. Tradi-
Laissez-Faire Leader
tional theorists attempted to discover whether there was one ideal style for small
Do-nothing group leaders. More recent style theorists have looked at styles in relationship to
designated leader member and task characteristics.
who provides minimal
services to the group. Three commonly described styles are democratic, autocratic, and laissez-faire, sum-
marized in Table 7.1. Democratic leaders encourage members to participate in group
Autocratic Leader decisions, including policy-making decisions (“What ideas do you have for organizing
Leader who tries to our task?”). Laissez-faire leaders take almost no initiative for structuring a group, but
dominate and control they may respond to inquiries from members (“I don’t care; whatever you want to do is
a group. fine with me.”). Autocratic leaders tightly control their groups, making assignments,

TABLE 7.1 Comparison of autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles

Autocratic Democratic Laissez-faire
Characteristics Directive; controlling. Participative; invites input. Asks group to take
Speaks with certainty. Speaks provisionally. charge.
Gives orders; makes Makes suggestions; helps Doesn’t necessarily voice
assignments. structure group time. opinion.
Makes decisions for group. Involves group in Expects group to decide
decisions. everything.
Typical statements “I’ve decided that this is “What ideas would you “Whatever you decide is
what you’re going to suggest for getting this okay with me.”
do . . .” done?”
Useful when Group members are Group members are Group members are
unmotivated, knowledgeable, experts, have worked
uninterested, or interested. together before, can
unfamiliar with task. Group has time to discuss assume group
Emergency situations occur. and deliberate. leadership.

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