It is important that leaders work to function within the culture of the organization. Many leaders have failed because their leadership style was a poor fit for the organizational design in which they are engaged. One thing that will help the leader find the “right fit” is to make a distinction between Transactional and Transformational Leadership Theory at work in the organization. Transactional leadership is based on the assumption that people are motivated by reward and punishment and that systems work best with a clear chain of command. Transformational Leadership works on the assumption that people will follow a person who inspires them. Once this is considered, the leader will benefit by understanding the leadership style at play. Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people. There are many but let’s consider the Authoritarian and the Participative Styles. The Authoritarian Style is foundationally autocratic and is a more classical in nature. This style is used when leaders tell their employees what they want done and how they want it accomplished, without getting the advice of their followers. The Participative Style is foundationally democratic and is more delegative in nature. This style involves the leader including one or more followers in the decision making process; however, the leader maintains the final decision making authority. The leader may allow the followers to make the decisions while remaining responsible for the decisions that are made. Embracing the appropriate leadership style will help the leaders be productive within the confines of the Leadership Theory at work in the organization.
