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Müller and Turner (2007) argue that a manager’s leadership style influences the performance of their organization and different styles may be appropriate depending on the context of the situation. To better understand how leadership styles impact employees and organizations the Country-Club style will be compared to the Authority-Compliance leadership style. Northouse (2016) explains that the Country-Club style has a low concern for tasks and is primarily interested in creating a positive climate for workers and seeks to develop interpersonal relationships. The Authority-Compliance style, on the other hand, focuses primarily on tasks and job requirements and is only concerned with people as the drivers to the end result (Northouse, 2016). Both leadership styles have a single focus whether that is the tasks or people and they are interested in ensuring that focus has their attention.
However, each leadership style has different advantages and disadvantages depending on the environment or context. In their study on leadership styles of undergraduate students, Strong, Williams, Irby, and Wynn (2013) found that students with relationship-oriented skills such as Country-Club leader characteristics were more likely to collaborate to accomplish the task at hand. While they may be more focused on the team dynamics of the group, they are more self-directed and can thrive in a moderate control environment (Strong, Williams, Irby, & Wynn, 2013). Yet, since results are not the primary focus, it may take longer for these leaders to reach the organizational goals at hand. Switching angles, Sternberg (2013) examined the type of leadership styles that are effective in academic settings on the administrative side. Authority-Compliance leaders can help get things done more quickly, enforce change, and can implement processes that are aligned with the original vision (Sternberg, 2013). Unfortunately, those under this style of leadership are typically not empowered and thus lack of trust in leadership can develop over time.
Understanding different styles of leadership provides leaders with an arsenal of options within their toolbox. Sternberg (2013) notes that the key to exercising leadership is to first understand your own leadership style, and second to be able to adopt the style that each situation demands. For example, at home it may be necessary to utilize the Authority-Compliance style when disciplining children. If a young child is a dangerous situation, such as the procedure for crossing a busy street, then immediate action is needed. The results and safety would be the most important factor at that time. However, if a parent is looking to develop their relationship with their teenager then they would likely have trouble using the Authority-Compliance style and the Country-Club style could be employed. Working to understand the teenager and develop an interpersonal relationship that fosters trust would be the most important factors in this particular situation. Learning the benefits and hazards of each style helps us prepare for any situation that may arise.
References
Müller, R., Turner, J. R. (2007). Matching the project manager’s leadership style to project type. International Journal of Project Management, 25(1), 21. doi:10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.04.003
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Sternberg, R. J. (2013). Perspectives: Leadership styles for academic administrators: What works when? Change, 45(5), 24-27. doi:10.1080/00091383.2013.812479
Strong, R., Williams, J., L. Irby, T., & Wynn, J. T. (2013). Country Club Management and Self-directedness: Implications for Academics and Practitioners of Leadership. NACTA Journal, (December), 38–44. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/1466251167?accountid=27965
