The delegation provides them with an opportunity to improve their own skills and develop continuously. Some individuals can be highly motivated when entrusted with an increased delegation of responsibilities. If people are trusted and can do their jobs independently, they feel attached to the team, and may not think of leaving the job so easily. Labour turnover is low as a higher number of employee retention is achieved under laissez faire leadership. Similarly, creativity is encouraged under this type of leadership. Consequently, followers feel valued and motivated to complete the tasks they are assigned with. As leaders trust their followers and are confident in their capabilities, they do not need to keep close eyes on them. One of the key advantages of laissez faire leadership is the reduced level of employee monitoring. By delegating responsibilities to their teams, managers will be able to have more free time to plan and contribute to the strategic issues of their organisations. They let followers to set goals, decide on work methods, and set their own pace of work.Īccording to Lewin and his fellow researchers, laissez faire leadership style requires the least amount of managerial oversight. They hand over responsibilities to the group. Laissez faire leaders can save a lot of time which can be dedicated to other activities. However, it should be mentioned that examples of laissez faire leadership are very limited in number that supports the idea that there is a lack of application of this style in practice. Consequently, this approach demonstrates that his leadership style contains the characteristics of laissez faire leadership. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, believes that his team members can come up with innovative ideas and therefore leave them to reach their goals. Similarly, Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, is considered a laissez faire leader because of his hands-off approach to leading people. He only intervened in their decisions when adverse circumstances required him to do so. ![]() However, others argue that some leaders have displayed almost all the characteristics of this type of leadership.įor instance, Warren Buffet is often considered a laissez faire leader who developed a team of people whom he had considered proficient in their activities and creativity. Many analysists argue that laissez faire leadership in true sense has never existed in history. Though a hands-off approach, the leaders are accountable for overall actions and decisions. When required, leaders take charge and provide followers with constructive criticisms and feedback. Leaders trust followers and therefore provide them with very limited guidance.Įmployees have the authority to make decisions and therefore are expected to resolve their problems on their own. The common characteristics of laissez faire leadership are as follows: ![]() Though Lewin developed the concept, he did not regard it as his preferred method of leadership, rather a style opposite of autocratic leadership.Ĭharacteristics of laissez faire leadership Kurt Lewin developed the idea of laissez-faire leadership over 90 years ago in his study ‘Leadership and Group Life’ which was also contributed by researchers Ronald Lippitt and Ralph K. When applied in leadership context, it refers to leaders leaving it to their subordinates to complete their responsibilities in a manner they choose, without requiring strict policies or procedures (St Thomas University, 2023). It broadly implies ‘let it be’, ‘let them do as they will’ or ‘leave it alone’. The term ‘laissez-faire’ is French which literally means ‘let them do’. Laissez faire is a concept that takes delegation a step further. Effective delegation allows team members to grow and develop their skills while simultaneously increasing the efficiency and productivity of the team as a whole. It also explores the characteristics of this type of leadership and shows its application in different fields by providing some examples.ĭelegation is a critical skill for any leader to master. The comprehensive article examines the advantages and disadvantages of laissez faire leadership style. ![]() Advantages and disadvantages of laissez faire leadership
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