Which leadership style is described as enabling employees to make their own decisions?

Which leadership style is described as enabling employees to make their own decisions?

• A. Autocratic leadership
• B. Democratic leadership
• C. Laissez-faire leadership
• D. Transactional leadership

Answer: (C)

Laissez-faire leadership is characterized by a hands-off approach that allows employees the freedom to make their own decisions. Leaders who adopt this style provide minimal guidance and allow team members to take the initiative in their work. This approach is predicated on the belief that employees are competent and capable of managing their tasks, fostering creativity and independence. By empowering employees to take ownership of their decisions, laissez-faire leadership can lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction, as individuals feel trusted to direct their own work. In contrast, autocratic leadership is directive and controlling, where leaders make decisions unilaterally with little room for input. Democratic leadership encourages participation and input from team members, making decisions collaboratively rather than fully empowering employees to act independently. Transactional leadership focuses on structured tasks and clear exchanges between leader and follower, emphasizing rewards and penalties rather than autonomy. Each of these styles prioritizes different aspects of leadership, but none encapsulate the essence of enabling employees to make their own decisions as effectively as laissez-faire leadership does.

Laissez-faire leadership is characterized by a hands-off approach that allows employees the freedom to make their own decisions. Leaders who adopt this style provide minimal guidance and allow team members to take the initiative in their work. This approach is predicated on the belief that employees are competent and capable of managing their tasks, fostering creativity and independence. By empowering employees to take ownership of their decisions, laissez-faire leadership can lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction, as individuals feel trusted to direct their own work.

In contrast, autocratic leadership is directive and controlling, where leaders make decisions unilaterally with little room for input. Democratic leadership encourages participation and input from team members, making decisions collaboratively rather than fully empowering employees to act independently. Transactional leadership focuses on structured tasks and clear exchanges between leader and follower, emphasizing rewards and penalties rather than autonomy. Each of these styles prioritizes different aspects of leadership, but none encapsulate the essence of enabling employees to make their own decisions as effectively as laissez-faire leadership does.