This text is based on an article published by The Muse.
Democratic style
This style is characterised by the manager listening to their subordinates and leading debates with team members. All key decisions are made at team level. Employees have considerable freedom but in the end they have to go along with the majority.
Advantages: Satisfied employees who are involved in the team.
Disadvantages: Little flexibility of the team, often slow and tedious decision-making processes, much time spent on discussions.
Direct style
With the direct style, a team manager asserts their authority more firmly; they make quick decisions, and tell employees what to do and what methods to use in more specific terms.
Advantages: High flexibility of the team, unambiguity of the team leader's demands. Each team member knows what is expected of them.
Disadvantages: Managers tend to micro-manage employees, who have less space for their own creativity and initiative.
Loose style
The loose management style does not restrict employees. The manager provides subordinates with space for independent work and serves more as a coordinator of what is going on in the team.
Advantages: Creative and independent employees are satisfied. There is greater potential to achieve better results compared to other leadership styles.
Disadvantages: All employees must be able to work well independently. A larger vision and firm leadership is often lacking.
Visionary style
The visionary manager keeps introducing original ideas and enthusing the team for them. They also constantly push the team forward.
Advantages: No stagnation, the team functions very dynamically. New options are tested.
Disadvantages: There is often insufficient time to deal with practical, mundane issues; not all ideas turn out to be good; not all employees feel comfortable in an ever-changing environment.
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