Summary of The Article
The article “Impact of Authoritative and Laissez-Faire Leadership on Thriving at Work: The Moderating Role of Conscientiousness” was selected to study this type of leadership. It examines the main differences between the authoritarian and most democratic approaches to leadership in an organization. This study shows that a person’s leadership style is linked to their ability to succeed in work. It also demonstrates that the personality of employees has a significant impact on thriving.
Both academics and practitioners will benefit from this research. This study emphasizes three key points: first, that a leader may adopt a style to improve work thriving, and second, that essential personality qualities can be discovered and exercised to improve thriving (Iqbal, 2021). Finally, it shows how a combination of efficient leadership style and personality attributes may substantially impact workplace thriving and employee health and well-being.
This article describes this type of leadership. The laissez-faire approach is regarded as the most libertarian of democratic styles. Leaders who are more laissez-faire entrust decision-making authority to their subordinates (Iqbal, 2021). People will benefit from this approach since it provides them with an opportunity to learn. When people are highly competent and motivated, the style becomes more successful, allowing them to thrive at work.
This article also notes that many researchers prove the ineffectiveness of this type of leadership. This conclusion is based on the fact that managers who use laissez-faire leadership are trying to absolve themselves of responsibility. However, the study analyzed that when employees are trained and motivated, this type of leadership is the most preferable (Iqbal, 2021). This is because the head of the organization allows subordinates to make the necessary decisions for their work themselves.
The leader, in this case, provides the necessary support. Thus, this study proves that laissez-faire leadership instills in followers a sense of self-control. They enable subordinates to exercise self-control and boost self-efficacy. The workers have a sense of self-control, leadership, and empowerment. Subordinates have more autonomy under laissez-faire leadership (Iqbal, 2021). Hence, psychological empowerment and self-leadership result from this autonomy.
Why This Leadership Theory Interests Me
Laissez-faire is a leadership style that is characterized by great freedom enjoyed by subordinates. Contrary to what happens in other models, the leader relies on a team and allows members to do what they consider most appropriate in each situation. This approach allows employees to feel their importance and effectiveness. I am interested in this type of leadership because in many areas of activity horizontal interaction is required, where everyone works in a team on an equal footing and makes certain decisions.
In most leadership styles, the manager is responsible for making all decisions, tells employees what to do, and usually takes responsibility for the company or team. This is true regardless of whether the opinions of subordinates are taken into account. On the contrary, in the laissez-faire style, the leader does not make any decisions and does not tell his employees what they should devote their time to. The common goal is marked from the beginning, and there is a hope that subordinates act in the most profitable way to achieve it.
Another reason why I was interested in this type of leadership is to increase job satisfaction. According to the article reviewed on this issue, one of the aspects that most reduces employees’ morale in traditional companies is that they cannot make their own decisions (Iqbal, 2021). Also, there is a need to always perform the same actions in the same way. This, however, does not happen with the liberal type of leadership. Laissez-faire leadership research shows that employees who enjoy more autonomy in their work also gain more motivation than usual. Thus, employees are independent and motivated, and the manager can devote activities to more essential tasks.
References
Iqbal, Z. A. (2021). Impact of authoritative and laissez-faire leadership on thriving at work: The moderating role of conscientiousness. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 11(3), 667-685.