What is your leadership style?

Leadership styles are defined as different combinations of task and relationship behaviors used to influence others to accomplish goals.  The two major leadership terms are task behavior and relationship behavior.   In order to be successful, leaders need to be concerned about both tasks and human relationships in groups and organizations. 

Task Behavior: The extent to which leaders organize and define roles, explain activities, determine when, where, and how tasks are to be accomplished, and endeavor to get work accomplished. 

Relationship Behavior: The extent to which leaders maintain personal relationships by opening communication and providing psychoemotional support and facilitating behaviors.

Different styles of leadership influence people uniquely. 

Authoritarian: This style of leadership uses primarily directive behaviors and emphasizes concern for tasks.  All decisions and policies are made solely by the leader who tends to dictate tasks and techniques to followers. 

Democratic: This style utilizes relationship and person orientation and relies on group discussion for decision making.  Human relationships and teamwork are the focus. 

Laissez-Faire: This style promotes complete freedom for group or individual decisions.  There is minimal leader participation. 

Perform the assessment below to see what leadership style you use?

　

Directions:

1. For each of the statements below, circle the number that indicates the degree to which you agree or disagree.

2. Give your immediate impressions. There are no right or wrong answers.

Statements	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
1. Employees need to be supervised closely, or they are not likely to do their work.	1	2	3	4	5
2. Employees want to be a part of the decision-making process.	1	2	3	4	5
3. In complex situations, leaders should let subordinates work problems out on their own.	1	2	3	4	5
4. It is fair to say that most employees in the general population are lazy.	1	2	3	4	5
5. Providing guidance without pressure is the key to being a good leader.	1	2	3	4	5
6. Leadership requires staying out of the way of subordinates as they do their work.	1	2	3	4	5
7. As a rule, employees must be given rewards or punishments in order to motivate them to achieve organizational objectives.	1	2	3	4	5
8. Most workers want frequent and supportive communication from their leaders.	1	2	3	4	5
9. As a rule, leaders should allow subordinates to appraise their own work.	1	2	3	4	5
10. Most employees feel insecure about their work and need direction.	1	2	3	4	5
11. Leaders need to help subordinates accept responsibility for completing their work.	1	2	3	4	5
12. Leaders should give subordinates complete freedom to solve problems on their own.	1	2	3	4	5
13. The leader is the chief judge of the achievements of the members of the group.	1	2	3	4	5

Statements	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
14. It is the leader’s job to help subordinates find their "passion."	1	2	3	4	5
15. In most situations, workers prefer little input from the leader.	1	2	3	4	5
16. Effective leaders give orders and clarify procedures.	1	2	3	4	5
17. People are basically competent and if given a task will do a good job.	1	2	3	4	5
18. In general, it is best to leave subordinates alone.	1	2	3	4	5

Scoring:

1. Sum the responses on items 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16 (authoritarian leadership).
2. Sum the responses on items 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17 (democratic leadership).
3. Sum the responses on items 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 (laissez-faire leadership).

If your score is 26-30, are are in the very high range.
If your score is 21-25, you are in the high range.
If your score is 16-20, you are in the moderate range.
If your score is 11-15, you are in the low range.
If your score is 6-10, you are in the very low range.

I consider my leadership style to be democratic.  I like to hear others opinions, suggestions, and thoughts before making a final decisions.  It enables me to gain unique insight and adjust my decisions to fulfill the needs of the majority.  I think when this style is used, the majority of people are happy with the decision, because they were involved.  Those who do not agree, may still accept the decision that was made because they were still allowed to share their opinions.