Mamagement

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report aims to compare the directive (also called autocratic leadership style) and participative leadership styles and will question the affirmation that any specific style is always more effective than the other one. This paper will argue that both directive and participative styles are effective when they are applied in the correct situation andpeople. Therefore, there is not a single appropriate leadership style. This report will also develop the difference leadership theories in order to determine the effectiveness of each style, as well as their connection with interpersonal emotions, knowledge and previous experience in the job assigned to subordinates. Additionally, this paper will posit that a good manager is flexible enough to choosethe most suitable leadership approach or a combination of them, based on the situation, the characteristic and background of the team, and the context of the circumstance. Lastly, this report will posit that a good leader is capable to adjust his/her leadership styles, if the circumstances demanded.

1. Introduction
During the last decades, leadership has increased its importance in thehistory of all organisations (social, political, or even military organisation) for this reason it has been the subject of a lot of discussion and research among major businesses. Some specialists define leadership as a wide and visionary activity that tries to determine and define the competence, principles and values of an organisation. In this vein, leadership can be understood and analysed fromtwo different points of view: as a personal trait of the leader and, as a role within an organisation, society or community.
The increasing importance of the leadership has drove to a debate in order to define which leadership approach is more appropriate and effective in order to motivate team works, ensure the achievement of the organisational objective and increase the commitment of theemployees with the organisation. In order to fulfil this need, a lot of theories have been developed during the last decades and specialists in this subject have argued in favour or against a specific leadership style. The main objective of this report is to discuss about two main leadership styles (participative vs. directive) in order to help to understand which leadership approach is moreappropriate and the factors that need to be considered when applying one or the other. This report will also give an overall view of leadership and it will also develop the main advantages and disadvantages of each style as well as the situations that make them more effective and appropriate.
2. Leadership.
Leadership (MsChane and Travaglione, 2008) is understood as the process in which a personinfluences others by supporting, guiding, coaching and motivating them in order to achieve a common goal. Leadership is also rooted on social influence; which means that a leader needs to interact with intrapersonal factors and interpersonal processes making the task of leading a complex process.
The leader might use difference forms to influence others such as direct application of power,persuasion and even people involvement in the decision making. Leaders also have the capacity to influence the work environment when assigning resources (capital and human) and when setting the channels of communication to enable subordinates to efficiently and easily achieve their ultimate objectives. Regardless of what many people believe, leadership is not limited to managers, it also includesany person within an organisation that is constantly interacting and influencing others in order to achieve a common goal. (MsChane and Travaglione, 2008).
The different leadership styles are classified in different ways founded on the leadership’s perspective. The contingency leadership perspective (MsChane and Travaglione, 2008) for example, develops the idea that leadership approach depends on...