Understanding Leadership Behaviors And Its Usefulness

Leadership enables a person to get a job done, using different styles of leadership. Over the years, experts have observed 2 kinds of leadership behaviours. The first kind that has been identified is task leadership. This is the sort of behaviour which leads a group of employees towards achieving a goal of the organization. The second type that was identified is social leadership. This is the kind of behaviour which focuses on keeping good and cordial relations between employers and employees. The main focus of this kind of behaviour is to make sure that good relationships are built within the organization. Furthermore, these relationships need to be maintained. Leadership behaviour also includes the style of leadership that is adopted by the leader. Autocratic leaders work independently, without any sort of consultation with employees. They give out instructions and issue directives that need that they expect to be followed by their subordinates, without question. The democratic style of leadership is usually used by participative leaders. these leaders engage in discussion with the subordinates and give them a chance to participate in the decision making process of the organization. They discuss all sorts of decisions with the employees and make sure that the contributions given by employees in terms of suggestions are kept in mind when the decision is made. The laissez fair style of leadership is very free. It makes sure that the employees know the broad objectives of the task or organization that they need to follow, and then decision making authority is delegated to them. There are two other kinds or leadership behaviours that are being studied these days as well. The first is transformational leadership behaviour which focuses on motivating people to work towards a cause and towards achieving good quality of life. The other kind that is being studied is transactional leadership behaviour. This is found in organizations where the power culture is strong. This means that this behaviour if usually found in organizations where importance is given to the post the employee is at and the authority he has to carry out a job. This leadership behaviour believes in rewarding or penalising an employee after the task has been completed, accordingly. Those who have met expectations and have worked according to standards are rewarded, and vice versa. In order to understand the leadership behavior that is prevalent in an organization, you need to see the nature of the job that people within the organization are performing. These jobs that require discipline and performance in a timely and organized manner are sure to have autocratic leadership behavior where things need to get done on time. In an organization where relationships are cherished transformational leadership behaviur is adopted. There is no right or wrong leadership behavior. Instead a leader behaves differently in different situations. A leader should be a good judge of what behaviour he/she has to adopt in which circumstances and make the most out of the situation!