Question

Nancy is supervising a patient care assistant and a licensed practical nurse. When giving them assignments she says, "You two decide how you want to divide up the patients." This is an example of what type of leadership?

A. Autocratic
B. Laissez-faire
C. Democratic
D. Situational

Answer 1

Nancy is demonstrating a laissez-faire leadership style by allowing her workers to decide how to divide the workload, emphasizing self-management in her team.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nancy's approach, where she says, "You two decide how you want to divide up the patients," is an example of the laissez-faire leadership style. In this scenario, Nancy is taking a hands-off approach, allowing the patient care assistant and licensed practical nurse to self-manage and make their own decisions about dividing the workload. This leadership style can be effective with highly motivated and mature individuals who are clear about their goals and responsibilities. However, it also carries risks such as a lack of progress or group dissolution if the team members are not sufficiently self-directed.