Final answer:
The correct matching of leadership styles to the stages of group formation is option 3, where autocratic decision-making is aligned with the 'forming' stage, as it helps provide clear directions when the group is just coming together.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is related to the stages of group formation and how they align with different leadership styles. Tuckman's model identifies four stages of group development: forming, storming, norming, and performing.
- Facilitate group decisions: This is the approach of a democratic leader, which aligns with the 'norming' stage where group cohesion builds and consensus is important.
- Recognize opportunities for improvement and successes: This typically happens in the 'performing' stage, where the group is functioning at a high level and the leader's role may focus on optimization and celebrating achievements.
- Use relatively more autocratic decision-making styles: This is characteristic of the 'forming' stage, where an authoritative approach can provide clear directions and help the group form its structure.
- Provide structure and clear direction: This, similarly, aligns with the 'forming' stage, but it can also be relevant in the 'storming' stage where conflict and competition within the group are managed.
Accordingly, the correct match between leadership styles and stages of group formation for the given options would be option 3: 'Use relatively more autocratic decision-making styles: forming'.