A Leadership Primer

Generally, the laissez-faire leader trusts the work habits of subordinates to get the job done on time but leaves decisionmaking to the team. Leadership style should be dependent on two independent variables: the type of problem and the team type, or the group of people that must be managed through a particular crisis or problem. Since different styles of leadership impact employee behavior in different ways, they can be tailored to fit the problem. Being able to switch from one style to another as conditions demand seems to be the best way to create a positive organizational climate and optimize performance in the workplace.