One of the concepts I thought was really interesting in the Essential Guide to Group Communication text was the different types of leadership. What exactly is leadership? The term, leadership, can be defined in many ways. It can mean leading something or someone, helping someone, or directing. In the text, leadership is basically defined as directing and influencing someone. The four different leaderships are explained throughout this chapter: authoritarian, consultative, participative, and laissez-faire.
Authoritarian means leader and power. Leaders usually put others in control and makes the decision for others. In other words, it is similar to demanding or bossing someone around.. On the other hand, consultative leadership is when every group mate contributes their ideas and opinion on things. These leaders often ask their group what their opinion is, and gather up information before making a decision. Participative leadership is when a leader and group members work together. Hence the word, participate. Participating generally means working together. Both, the leader and group mates influence one another. Laissez-faire leadership involves no leadership at all. Group members pay little to no attention to the other group members. This leadership is considered as the least effective leadership style. For example, it is when a group mate does not try to contact other group members if they do not do it either.
The world needs leaders. I am glad you wrote about leadership. I view a leader as someone who, when everyone is freaking out going one direction, he or she stands up to lead everyone another direction out of the chaos. I view President Obama as a good leader. Whether you like him or not, he helped restore sanity to our nation during the worst recession. He helped calm the nerves of people afraid of losing their home or job. Leadership means something to this country. Imagine America without some of its greatest leaders like Lincoln or FDR. Leaders are remembered in history books for leaving a legacy of greatness when no one wanted to be great.
ReplyDeleteLeadership is very important especially when it comes to group decisions or group work. The fact that there are different types of leadership is kind of an eye-opener. It makes you think what kind of leader you currently are and what kind of leader you would like to be if you are not already. It also makes you realize what type of leadership is more effective in a group. I think participative leadership is the one I associate with most. Although it is a leader’s job to help guide the group members in the “right” direction, it is just as important to participate along with them. Part of being a leader is doing the work when and where it is needed.
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