The Leadership Styles Of Ronald Lippit And Ralph White

Throughout history, there have been great leaders who rule in vastly different ways. From Napoleon Bonaparte’s populism, to Stalin’s iron grip, to Julius Caesar’s inspiring tactical brilliance, a plethora of leadership styles have proved successful. However, in 1958, Ronald Lippit and Ralph White came to the controversial conclusion that a democratic leader bested all other forms of leadership. Bias in their research, as well as overwhelming evidence of successful, non-democratic leaders has led to dissention upon what style is most effective. Henslin offers three distinct types of leadership: an authoritarian leader who rules through strict orders and negative sanctions, a democratic leader who rules by gaining a consensus, and a laissez-faire

In his workplace environment, authoritarian leadership is vital to ensure the health and safety of the patient on the operating table. The hospital operating table is no place for constructive criticism or weak leadership. My dad must make decisive decisions and act upon them immediately, and his orders must not be hesitated upon. To prevent nurses and assistants from temporizing on his orders, he must be both respected and feared. If a member of the cardiac crew makes a near-fatal error, it cannot be brushed aside with reassuring comments. The error must be permanently corrected, and the only way to do so is through harsh negative sanctions. However, negative sanctions must be dealt out by a prestigious individual, or else they carry no weight past the punishment. By being ranked as the number one heart surgery program in Ohio, and by operating smoothly and efficiently, my dad has gained the respect needed to lead. Last Spring, I watched my dad perform open-heart surgery, and saw the effectiveness of a prestigious authoritarian leader. His commands were executed swiftly and properly, and the surgery proceeded smoothly. His performance left such a profound impact on me I have attempted to replicate his leadership ever

While I disliked the punishments I received as a child, I realize now they have helped me mature into the person I am today. Strict negative sanctions deflected me away from deviant behavior and guided me towards good manners and an appreciation for learning. By recognizing the positive effects of my father’s authoritarian leadership, I have adopted this leadership approach in most group activities. While I do not have the prestige or stringent aurora of my dad, I strive to be as capable a leader. As the captain of the academic challenge team, I have to make decisive resolutions on which answer to put forth as the final one. In schoolwork groups, I make decisions on delegating power so the members will stay on task. Nonetheless, I must have the credentials—or prestige— to support my orders. My high class rank and grade point average help to motivate others to follow my orders, but my rather diminutive size is detrimental to the effectiveness of my leadership. While such limitations are less present than they once were, I still have a long way to go to reach the level of my dad’s