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2.3.1 Five decision-making styles

One of the most influential studies of contingency or situational leadership was completed by Vroom and Yetton (1973) and later by Vroom and Jago (1989). This model suggests leadership style is determined by the situation and decision making structures. They identified five decision-making styles:

Autocratic 1 - Problem is solved using information already available.

Autocratic 2 - Additional information is obtained from group before leader makes decision.

Consultative 1 - Leader discusses problem with subordinates individually, before making a decision.

Consultative 2 - Problem is discussed with the group before deciding.

Group 2 - Group decides upon problem, with leader simply acting as chair.

A1 Autocrat: You solve the problem or make the decision yourself, using information available to you at that time.

A2 Consultative Autocrat 1: You obtain the necessary information from your subordinates, then decide on the solution to the problem yourself. You do not necessarily tell your subordinates what the problem is while getting the information from them. The role played by your subordinates in making the decision is clearly one of providing the necessary information to you, rather than generating or evaluating alternative solutions.

C1 Consultative Autocrat 2: You share the problem with relevant subordinates individually, getting their ideas and suggestions without bringing them together as a group. Then you make the decision that may or may not reflect your subordinates' influence.

C2 Consultative Autocrat 3: You share the problem with your subordinates as a group, collectively obtaining their ideas and suggestions. Then you make the decision that may or may not reflect your subordinates' influence.

G2 Consensus Seeker: You share the problem with your subordinates as a group. Together you generate and evaluate alternatives and attempt to reach agreement (consensus) on a solution. Your role is much like that of a chairman. You do not try to influence the group to adopt "your" solution and you are willing to adopt and implement any solution that has the support of the entire group.

 

AI Autocratic or directive style of problem solving.  
AII Autocratic with group information input
AIII Autocratic with group's review and feedback.  
CI Individual Consultative Style
CII Group Consultative Style
GI Group Decision Style
GII Participative Style
GIII Leaderless Team

 

Activity 3

Please complete the Leadership Style Attitudes assessment tool. It will take some 15-20 minutes to complete this tool and it should give a very informative view on how your leadership styles.

Leadership Style Attitudes available at http://www.marcbowles.com/tools/toolkit.htm .

Hoy and Miskel (1987) identified four areas of situational leadership:

  1. Structural propriety of the organisation;
  2. Organisation climate;
  3. Role characteristics; and
  4. Subordinate characteristics (1987:273).

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