Final answer:
The term 'leadership style' describes the consistent pattern of behavior that characterizes a leader, which may be democratic, laissez-faire, or authoritarian depending on their approach to decision-making and leading teams.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consistent pattern of behavior characterizing a leader is referred to as their leadership style. This identifies how they approach decision-making and how they lead their team or group. Notable leadership styles include democratic, laissez-faire, and authoritarian.
A democratic leader makes decisions by building consensus within the group, making sure everyone has a say. However, this can be time-consuming and risks divisiveness. The laissez-faire leader, on the other hand, allows group members to make their own decisions, which works well with highly motivated teams but can risk lack of progress if not managed properly. Finally, the authoritarian leader issues orders and assigns tasks, a style that focuses on achieving goals efficiently but may risk alienating team members.
Each of these leadership styles fits different circumstances and environments. It's vital to understand their characteristics to determine the right leadership style for a specific situation.
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