One of the most laid-back approaches to leading a group is the laissez-faire style. The laissez-faire leadership style is more “hands-off” than other styles, where a leader will delegate tasks to the team without further involvement until the tasks are completed or a problem arises.
The ideas surrounding laissez-faire, which translates to “let do” in French, are focused on each individual in a group and allowing them to do what they think is best when it comes to problem-solving, decision-making or completing a task. This style offers a lot of freedom for group members, but like all styles, it has advantages and disadvantages.
Typical laissez-faire leader traits
The laissez-faire leader will often demonstrate laid-back behaviours. They offer little guidance and let employees get on with the task without interfering. They even allow the freedom of decision-making on their own without getting involved.
A laisse-faire leader does not let employees entirely fend for themselves when it comes to problem-solving. They will provide the tools and resources needed but expect employees to take the reins and get the job done with the resources presented in a way the employee sees fit.
For this reason, a laissez-faire leader will need to be trusting and have the courage to hand over decisions to other group members. They must be able to recognise the strengths of their employees and build a team they know can tackle the project or problem at hand. Ultimately, the leader of the laissez-faire style will depend on their team to do a good job, as accountability still lies with the leader.
When is the laissez-faire leadership style most effective?
The laissez-faire leadership style can be effective in certain circumstances. However, like other leadership styles, it has disadvantages and can be switched out with different leadership styles when needed.
Laissez-faire leadership is valuable when there is a team of highly-skilled, knowledgeable and motivated employees who can work independently to complete tasks. Sometimes, this knowledge may go beyond the leader’s, so it is only appropriate to let the employees finish the task the best way they see fit to allow them to demonstrate their expertise. Team members should be passionate about what they do and motivated enough to work without much guidance.
Disadvantages of the laissez-faire leadership style
Because of the laid-back nature of the laissez-faire leadership style, it can only prove to be effective when a team is knowledgeable, experienced and determined to work on the job without much direction. If team members need someone to set deadlines for them and require guidance and supervision, the laissez-faire approach can be unproductive.
With this leadership style, there is also the risk of team members feeling like there is a lack of leadership, which can demotivate team members.
Laissez-faire leaders are held accountable for their team’s outcomes, so if there are deadlines not met or a project that didn’t produce the results it should have, a laissez-faire leader may be quick to pass the blame onto others, creating a hostile atmosphere.
How laissez-faire leadership style can work for your business
Laissez-faire leaders can really bring out the best in their employees if they are motivated enough to let their talents shine. This is especially helpful for those leading a creative team. It allows team members to work on their own ideas and show off the best of their skills for the company.
The laissez-faire leader must provide all the information and resources needed to complete the task that allows the group to self-manage efficiently. A motivated team will then be left to use these to the best of their ability to get work done.
A laissez-faire leadership style is great for those groups with highly-skilled and dedicated employees who are self-disciplined enough to work without guidance. This approach may be best at the beginning of a project that allows everyone to work on their own ideas before bringing them together into something more structured. At that point, another leadership style may be more appropriate. Laissez-faire is also not suitable when attention needs to be made to detail or there are tight deadlines.
Which leadership style will you adopt?
With different leadership styles appropriate for different situations, knowing which is best for your business needs to see results is essential. Delphinium’s training workshops in Leadership and Management will help those in a leadership position identify these situations and know how to approach them better. Get in touch to discuss how these workshops or our ILM Level 3 and Level 5 in Leadership and Management can help benefit your business.
