Leadership
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| leadership/ˈliːdəʃɪp/ | Influencing and guiding people towards shared goals. |
| autocratic/ˌɔːtəʊˈkrætɪk/ | Describing a leadership style in which decisions are made by the leader with little input from others. |
| democratic/ˌdeməˈkrætɪk/ | Describing leadership that involves group members in discussion and decision-making. |
| paternalistic/pəˌtɜːnəˈlɪstɪk/ | paternalistic |
| laissez-faire/ˈleɪsez feə/ | Describing leadership that gives members substantial freedom to make decisions with little direct intervention. |
| Theory X/ˈθɪəri eks/ | Managers assume workers dislike work and need close control. |
| Theory Y/ˈθɪəri waɪ/ | Theory Y |
| delegate/ˈdelɪɡeɪt/ | delegate |
| empower/emˈpaʊə/ | empower |
Setting the direction
- Management keeps the machine running; leadership 领导 decides where it should go and inspires people to follow.
- The same business can soar or stall depending on how it is led.
Leadership style lab
Pick the management style that fits each situation.
A paternalistic leader:
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Paternalistic leaders decide but explain, acting in staff's interests.
Leadership styles
- Autocratic 专制型: the leader decides; democratic 民主型: the leader consults.
- Paternalistic 家长式: decides like a caring parent, explaining choices.
- Laissez-faire 放任型: leaves skilled staff to lead themselves.
Leadership styles range from autocratic (leader decides) to laissez-faire (staff lead themselves)
Leaders set direction and motivate people, which shapes the whole organisation
A manager who assumes workers dislike work and need close control holds:
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Theory X assumes workers must be controlled.
Theory Y assumes employees dislike work and must be closely controlled.
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False. That is Theory X. Theory Y assumes employees are motivated and seek responsibility, so managers tend to delegate and empower.
The theory assuming workers seek responsibility is McGregor's Theory ______.
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Theory Y is the positive view of workers.
McGregor's Theory X X理论 and Y
- Theory X: managers assume workers dislike work and need close control.
- Theory Y Y理论: managers assume workers are motivated and seek responsibility.
- The assumption shapes the leadership style chosen.
Worked example. A Theory-X manager supervises closely and uses strict rules; a Theory-Y manager delegates 授权 and empowers 赋权. The same team can respond very differently to each.
The best leadership style:
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Effective leaders adapt their style to the situation.
The best style depends
- There is no single best style — it depends on the task, the team and the situation.
- Crises may need autocratic speed; creative work suits democratic or laissez-faire.
Leadership is not the same as management. A manager organises and controls; a leader sets vision and inspires. A great business needs both, but they are different skills.
You've got it
- styles: autocratic, democratic, paternalistic, laissez-faire
- McGregor: Theory X (workers need control) vs Theory Y (workers seek responsibility)
- there is no single best style — match it to the situation; leadership ≠ management
Write from 2 extra supervisors
- A manager who assumes people avoid work adds 2 extra supervisors to a team of 10.
- Which of McGregor's theories is that?
A manager believes people avoid work, so 2 extra supervisors are added to watch a team of 10. Which of McGregor's theories fits that belief, and what would the other theory expect instead?
An assumption that workers need control is Theory X.
Which theory adds the 2 supervisors because people are assumed to avoid work?
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Theory X expects control. Theory Y expects responsibility.