Situational Leadership Styles

Why Leadership Has to Be Democratic-dictatoric?
Jaap de Jonge, Editor, Netherlands
Dear Professor, could you please elaborate what you mean with your second sentence in relation to the first one? Thanks.

Be a Democratic Leader, but Not Always!
Prof. Dr. Jekabs U. Leititis, Professor, Germany
Having worked for more than two decades in leading position (hospital management) in companies up to 4.000 employees I made the experience, that people in dependent positions need motivational leading styles. These democratic or participative style gives them the opportunity to be creative, self-determined, self-conscious - the basis for sustained success.
On the other hand there may be situations, where teams are waiting for clear, strict regulations and directives. In these instances the more democratic styles does not meet the expectations of the team. This is true specially in situations, where you have no time for creative solutions or where you have to meet regulations of any kind. Democratic leadership styles could then alienate the team -they expect clear decisions.
A situational leadership should change then to a more directive style. As one of my coaches said: "Leaders cannot always be democratic, in special situations you must be directive" - he exaggerated: "even dictatorial!" as exception!

The Knowledge Power of Leader
Greenctzen, CEO, Thailand
I'm in the head of pharmacy in a Thai army hospital. My experience on this is we have to use participating leadership most of the time to sustain team.
But in a tight situation, showing quick understanding first and make definite decision responding to solve the problem on hand, is what the team really needs. Because already the team knows your knowledge power. Without that power, a leader might fail the team and it could be very hard to get back the team spirit.
So even dictatorial as exception, knowledge power is of necessary all the time.!

Exceptional Leadership
Prof. Dr. Jekabs U. Leititis, Professor, Germany
@Greenctzen: This hits the nail on the head!

Situational Leader
Sally, Manager, Malaysia
@Prof. Dr. Jekabs U. Leititis: I agreed with you in a real working situation, a leader needs to adjust his leadership to suit the situation or level of the employees. He needs to use directive, coaching, participate and empowerment styles.