Final answer:
Effective leadership, from the competency perspective, encompasses both task and people orientation and requires adapting to situational needs and follower characteristics. Democratic, laissez-faire, and authoritarian leadership styles each have their unique applications. Transformational and transactional leadership are also relevant approaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the competency perspective of leadership, effective leadership is often characterized by being both task-oriented and people-oriented. Leaders have to adjust their styles to best meet the demands of the situation and the needs of their followers. For instance, democratic leaders engage group participation in all decision-making, building consensus, which is time-consuming but inclusive. Laissez-faire leaders take a hands-off approach, promoting autonomy among mature participants, but risk a lack of progress without proper guidance. Lastly, authoritarian leaders dictate orders and focus on goal attainment, suitable for urgent situations where decisiveness is required.
Leaders must also consider their followers' characteristics, such as extroversion and the need for leadership, as well as the dynamics of the leader-follower relationship. Different leadership styles may be preferred according to individual and situational needs, such as in classroom settings, workplaces, or sports teams. Transformational leadership, which involves charisma, inspiration, intellectual stimulation, and consideration, is often contrasted with transactional leadership, driven by rewards and punishments.
The desire for growth among followers also influences leader-follower dynamics. Leaders who foster development opportunities may better serve individuals seeking personal and professional growth, while those opposed to change may prefer leaders who do not pressure them for growth.