B1 Laissez-Faire Leadership
Laissez-faire leadership is a style where leaders leave the majority of decisions to workers. They may give some guidance and discuss work with employees but they are generally confident in the abilities of their team members and trust them to solve problems with little input. The role of the leader may be to offer support and guide individuals in setting their goals rather than deciding their goals for them.
When Laissez-Faire Leadership is Appropriate
Highly independent employees who are resourceful, dependable and confident in their abilities.
Highly skilled experts
Early stages of product development
Creative industries
When Laissez-Faire Leadership is Inappropriate
Employees lack the knowledge, skills or experience to make decisions.
There is a perception of an absent leader.
There is a need for quick decision-making.
Conflict amongst employees where decisions impact each others projects.
Lack of clear procedures can lead to risk.
| Benefits of Laissez-Faire Leadership | Drawbacks of Laissez-Faire Leadership |
|---|---|
| Highly motivated staff due to having autonomy over work. | Employees feeling overwhelmed by decision-making responsibility and lack of guidance. |
| Better decision making as they are made by those who have the relevant skills. | Slow progress due to the lack of clear goals and timelines. |
| Increased creativity and innovation as more ideas and perspectives are considered. | Poor decisions being made where employees lack the knowledge and skills needed to make decisions. |
