1.4 - Leadership Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is leadership in a business context?
Leadership is the way in which one person influences the behaviour or actions of others, often to achieve business goals.
How has the role of leadership changed in modern business?
Leadership is no longer just about command and control. Now it includes:
Inspiring employees
Creating a vision for the business
Shaping core values and company culture
Building and leading effective teams
Why is leadership increasingly important in modern business?
- Changing Organisational Structure
Flatter hierarchies
More delegation
Teamwork and quality focus
Empowerment and coaching - Rapid Change
Constant business change (e.g. tech, markets)
Greater need for soft skills (communication, empathy, adaptability)
How do leaders differ from managers?
Leaders:
Set direction and strategy
Inspire and influence
Build relationships
Take Risks
Have followers
Manangers:
Implement strategy
Organise and coordinate
use authority to take decisions
manage risks
have subordinates
What are the three levels of management?
- Senior Management
E.g. CEO, Board of Directors
Set corporate objectives and long-term strategy
Accountable to shareholders - Middle Management
Heads of departments, regional managers
Run business functions
Report to senior management - Junior Management
Team leaders, supervisors
Handle day-to-day tasks and monitor staff
Report to middle management
What is meant by a leadership style?
It’s the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people.
What are the 4 traditional leadership styles?
Authoritarian (Autocratic)
Paternalistic
Democratic
Laissez-faire
What are the characteristics of an Authoritarian leadership style?
Power with manager, top-down communication
Little delegation, rewards/punishments used
Theory X (people need control)
What are the characteristics of an Paternalistic leadership style?
Manager decides what’s best for employees
Parental role, concern for welfare
Limited delegation, soft autocracy
What are the characteristics of an Democratic leadership style?
Shared decision-making, consults employees
Delegation and participation
Better motivation but can slow decisions
What are the characteristics of an Laissez-faire leadership style?
Minimal input from leader, freedom for staff
Works if employees are skilled and motivated
Can lack direction, close to abdication
Why is Autocratic Leadership Outdated?
Changing values and better-educated workforce
Need for soft skills and more employee involvement
Shift to delegation and empowerment in modern business
Define management.
The art of getting things done through people
