Shannon W Unit 2 Teamwork and leadership in the public services P1, M1, D1
P1: There are a total of eight different leadership styles used within the public services. The first
leadership style is ‘authoritarian’. Authoritarian leadership is when the leader has complete power
over their team and the final decision made; whether that would be with their own ideas or with the
input of others however, they commonly make their decisions individually with no input from the
group. Adolf Hitler is a prime example of a leader who used this type of leadership. An example of a
service which may use this leadership style on the other hand would be an officer in the army. They
are required to give demands quickly, especially if they are in a battlefield situation, as there is no
time to ask for any input or ideas. Overall, it’s the most efficient leadership style to get the job done
quickly in situations which need it.
The second leadership style is ‘democratic’. Democratic leadership is primarily where a team has an
input in the decision making before it is made final. Barack Obama is an example of a leader who
used democratic leadership in order to successfully run his country. In the public services, an officer
in the fire service would use this type of leadership in order to plan out a rescue for a burning
building. In order to create a successful plan, the officer would need to whole teams input. The
downside to this leadership style is that it isn’t very time-efficient; due to it requiring scheduled
meetings and structured decisions to be made.
‘Laissez-faire’ is another leadership style used within the public service. In English, the word is
referred as ‘leave it be’ meaning that the leader doesn’t get involved and leaves the team to it. In
order to use this leadership style successfully, the leader must have a trustworthy and responsible
team (otherwise referred as highly trained staff.) An example of where a laissez-faire leadership style
could be used in the public services would be; where an officer in the fire service would send their
team to rescue civilians from a burning building, while they are outside securing the area.
Another leadership style is ‘transactional’. Transactional leadership basically means motivating the
team with a reward at the end. However, if they fail, they may receive a punishment. An example of
this leadership style would be an officer in the army teaching basic training to the new recruits; if
they fail to complete a task to their standard or make a mistake they will be punished. (Punishments
can include a set number of press ups etc.) An example where the recruits may be rewarded is,
during an exercise, such as the bush craft survival task, they may receive extra food as a reward
which will keep them motivated as they are keen to earn it.
‘Transformational’ leadership is where the leaders are trying to keep their team motivated by
inspiring them. An example of where this leadership could be used is, when an officer in the army is
trying to keep their recruits motivated by training with them and setting a good role model. Officers
lead from the front and by example, as well as being full of energy in order to inspire the recruits to
carry on with their training. This may include the leader doing press ups alongside the recruits to
keep them motivated.
‘Bureaucratic’ is a leadership where it is based off of paper work, administration and forms in order
to ensure the safety of the team. An example of a public service which uses bureaucratic leadership,
due to the high risks taken, is the bomb disposal team in the army. Their job is extremely dangerous
therefore; their leader must give clear instructions to their team. Leaders must also be consistent,
accountable and well organised in order to ensure their teams safety.
P1: There are a total of eight different leadership styles used within the public services. The first
leadership style is ‘authoritarian’. Authoritarian leadership is when the leader has complete power
over their team and the final decision made; whether that would be with their own ideas or with the
input of others however, they commonly make their decisions individually with no input from the
group. Adolf Hitler is a prime example of a leader who used this type of leadership. An example of a
service which may use this leadership style on the other hand would be an officer in the army. They
are required to give demands quickly, especially if they are in a battlefield situation, as there is no
time to ask for any input or ideas. Overall, it’s the most efficient leadership style to get the job done
quickly in situations which need it.
The second leadership style is ‘democratic’. Democratic leadership is primarily where a team has an
input in the decision making before it is made final. Barack Obama is an example of a leader who
used democratic leadership in order to successfully run his country. In the public services, an officer
in the fire service would use this type of leadership in order to plan out a rescue for a burning
building. In order to create a successful plan, the officer would need to whole teams input. The
downside to this leadership style is that it isn’t very time-efficient; due to it requiring scheduled
meetings and structured decisions to be made.
‘Laissez-faire’ is another leadership style used within the public service. In English, the word is
referred as ‘leave it be’ meaning that the leader doesn’t get involved and leaves the team to it. In
order to use this leadership style successfully, the leader must have a trustworthy and responsible
team (otherwise referred as highly trained staff.) An example of where a laissez-faire leadership style
could be used in the public services would be; where an officer in the fire service would send their
team to rescue civilians from a burning building, while they are outside securing the area.
Another leadership style is ‘transactional’. Transactional leadership basically means motivating the
team with a reward at the end. However, if they fail, they may receive a punishment. An example of
this leadership style would be an officer in the army teaching basic training to the new recruits; if
they fail to complete a task to their standard or make a mistake they will be punished. (Punishments
can include a set number of press ups etc.) An example where the recruits may be rewarded is,
during an exercise, such as the bush craft survival task, they may receive extra food as a reward
which will keep them motivated as they are keen to earn it.
‘Transformational’ leadership is where the leaders are trying to keep their team motivated by
inspiring them. An example of where this leadership could be used is, when an officer in the army is
trying to keep their recruits motivated by training with them and setting a good role model. Officers
lead from the front and by example, as well as being full of energy in order to inspire the recruits to
carry on with their training. This may include the leader doing press ups alongside the recruits to
keep them motivated.
‘Bureaucratic’ is a leadership where it is based off of paper work, administration and forms in order
to ensure the safety of the team. An example of a public service which uses bureaucratic leadership,
due to the high risks taken, is the bomb disposal team in the army. Their job is extremely dangerous
therefore; their leader must give clear instructions to their team. Leaders must also be consistent,
accountable and well organised in order to ensure their teams safety.
