Question

Doug is a line manager at XYZ Corporation. He is very task-oriented and makes all of the decisions with little concern for employee opinion. Under his ____________ leadership style, employees are told exactly what is expected from them and given specific guidelines, rules, and regulations on how to achieve their tasks.

Answer 1

Doug at XYZ Corporation exemplifies an authoritarian leadership style, which is task-oriented and directive, with little employee input in decision-making. This contrasts with democratic and laissez-faire leadership styles, which offer varying degrees of employee involvement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Doug, the line manager at XYZ Corporation, exhibits an authoritarian leadership style. This style is characterized by a clear focus on task accomplishment, with leaders making decisions unilaterally and expecting employees to follow specific guidelines without seeking their input. In this approach, often associated with Theory X, employees are directed with strict rules and close supervision to ensure organizational goals are met. This task-oriented manner is effective for quick decision-making and situations where high expertise is required, although it risks alienating employees due to the lack of participative engagement.Comparatively, other leadership styles like democratic and laissez-faire offer different approaches. A democratic leader values consensus and group participation, while a laissez-faire leader opts for a hands-off approach, allowing employees to self-manage. The appropriateness of each style largely depends on the specific context and the nature of the task force.Understanding these styles can be crucial for management and organizational efficiency, aligning with concepts such as McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y, which contrast perceptions of employee motivation and the role of management in directing or facilitating work.