Which leadership style is best or which to choose?
Different scholar makes different suggestions in this regard. However, widely known for their effective management practices the Japanese favour participative leadership style. In actual practice it is difficult to hold my one style, is the best leadership style. As discussed above, each style has got its merits and demerits. Hence the choice of a style will depend upon several factors, such as suggested by Tannenbaum and Schmidt.
1. Forces in the Manager
Manager’s value system, confidence in subordinates, own leadership inclination and feeling of security in an uncertain situation.
2. Forces in the Subordinates
Their need for independence, readiness to assume responsibility for decision making, tolerance, for ambiguity (or strangeness), interest in problem at hand, understanding and identification with the goals of the organisation, knowledge and experience to deal with the problem and learned expectatio of sharing in decision making process.
3. Forces in Situation
The type of organisation, group effectiveness, the complexity of the problem itself, pressure of time on the situation etc.
Effective manager should be expert enough to adapt or modify their leadership style as per the need of the moment. Sticking to one best considered style at all times in all situations with all people may not work well to be a good leader. Most suitable leadership style is that which fits with the situation the followers and the leader.