Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Lecture Notes
Chapter 3: Understanding Leadership Styles
Learning Objectives
1. Analyze the implications of Douglas MacGregor’s two general theories.
Chapter Outline
I. Introduction
A. It is important to recognize your personal style of leadership. This style affects
how others respond to you, how they respond to their work, and, in the end, how
effective you are as a leader.
II. Leadership Philosophy Explained
A. Any philosophy of leadership is based on one’s unique set of beliefs about the
nature of people and the nature of work.
D. Theory X: Assumption 1
i. This assumption argues that people do not like work; they view it as
unpleasant, distasteful, or simply a necessary evil. According to this
assumption, if given the chance, people would choose not to work.
E. Theory X: Assumption 2
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
i. The picture this assumption paints is of workers who want their leaders to
take care of them, protect them, and make them feel safe. Because it is too
difficult to set their own goals, workers want management to do it for them.
G. Theory Y: Assumption 1
i. This assumption suggests people see work as satisfying and not as a
punishment. It is a natural activity for them. In fact, given the chance,
people are happy to work. Some people view work as a natural part of their
lives.
I. Theory Y: Assumption 3
i. Theory Y assumes that the average person is inherently resourceful and, if
given the chance, will seek to take responsibility.
J. Characteristics of a Theory Y leader:
i. A theory Y leader views followers as capable and interested in working.
ii. Though they may define work requirements, they do not try to control
workers. Further, they do not see the need to use coercion or external
reinforcement.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
III. Leadership Styles Explained
A. Leadership style is the behaviors of leaders, focusing on what leaders do and how
they act. This includes leaders’ actions toward followers in a variety of contexts.
B. The most commonly observed leadership styles associated with Theory X and
Theory Y are authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire.
i. Authoritarian leadership style is very similar to Theory X in that the leaders
perceive followers as needing direction.
ii. Characteristics of authoritarian leaders:
a. They determine tasks and procedures and exert influence and
control over the group members.
iii. There is an evidence that situational and personality factors can make
authoritarian leadership more likely, including uncertain or negative
circumstances where strong leadership is perceived to be a solution to
problems, such as when a group is performing poorly, under time pressure
or facing an external threat.
iv. Authoritarian leadership has both pluses and minuses:
a. On the positive side, it is efficient and productive.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
b. Helping each follower reach personal goals is important to a
democratic leader.
iii. Democratic leaders speak on the same level as their followers.
a. Making sure everyone is heard is a priority.
v. In their evaluation, democratic leaders give objective praise and criticism.
vi. Positive outcomes:
a. Democratic leadership results in greater group member satisfaction,
commitment, and cohesiveness.
vii. The downside of democratic leadership is that it takes more time and
commitment from the leader. Work is accomplished, but not as efficiently
as if the leader were authoritarian.
G. Laissez-Faire Leadership Style
i. The laissez-faire leadership style is dissimilar to both Theory X and Theory
Y.
v. As the French phrase implies, laissez-faire leadership means the leader
takes a “hands–off, let it ride” attitude toward followers.
a. Laissez-faire leaders have a very laid back attitude and make no
attempt to influence their followers’ activities. They make no
attempt to appraise or regulate the progress of followers.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
a. Very little is accomplished under a laissez-faire leader because
people are directionless and at a loss to know what to do, they tend
to do nothing.