Analysis Chart

During the last 40 years, 14 situations have been identified as important in decision making. Each situation has a set of leadership styles that will generate acceptable quality decisions. The autocratic leader will be effective in 6; leaders who accept the vote of followers effective in 11. Because there are 2 situations where a democratic style is the only style that can lead to quality decisions (as compared to 0 situations for autocratic) many students of leadership believe that group decisions are best. This ignores the 3 situations where group process can actually result in poor quality decisions. It also ignores the benefits to be derived because of the efficiency associated with autocratic leadership styles.

The following Decision Maker bar chart graphically portrays the trade off between efficiency and participation for leadership styles known to be effective in an unknown situation.

The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and similar publications, report situations and describe leaders at corporate, government and not-for-profit organizations. By using expert systems, such as those developed by Mighetto & Associates, evidence may be gathered from the publications supporting conclusions regarding delegation, the use of juries, legislation, government, Total Quality Management, project management, downsizing, the need for a meeting, the behavior of successful leaders, the importance of leadership to stock values, etc.

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http://www.eskimo.com/~mighetto/lschart.htm - last update March 23, 2001