Qualities of Good Leader
In all about 18,000 traits were identified by researchers. The qualities of a good leader as mentioned by some authorities on the subject are given below :
`**` Energy, emotional stability, knowledge of human relations, motivation, communication, skill, teaching ability, social skill ad technical competence.
`**` Vitality and endurance, decisiveness, persuasiveness, stability in behaviour, intellectual ability and knowledge.
`**` Physical and nervous energy, enthusiasm, sense of purpose and direction, technical mastery, friendliness and affection, decisiveness.
`**` Courage, will power, judgement, flexibility, knoledge and integrity.
`**` Supervisory ability, achievement motivation, self-actuslising, intelligence, self assurance, decisiveness.
`**` Courage, self-confidence, moral qualities, self sacrifice, paternalism, fairness.
`**` Physical and constitutional factors, intelligence, self-confidence, sociability, will, dominance.
Companies like HCL are rethinking about leadership in their organisations. Identify the various styles of leadership that they can introduce or implement.

Explanation

The different styles of leadership that can be adopted are :
(i) Democratic leadership A democratic leader takes decisions after consultation and encourages the participation of subordinates. This leadership style is more common and popular, as it ensure achievement of goals, when they are set with the acceptance of the subordinates themseleves.
A democratic leader provides freedom of thinking and listens to suggestions, grievances and opinions of the subordinates. This improves the attitude of the employees towards their jobs and the organisation, thereby increasing their morale.
This style is of mutal benefit which allows subordinates to become part of team and help leaders (seniors) to make better decisions.
(ii) Autocratic leadership An autocratic leader exercises complete control over the subordinates. He gives orders and expects his subordinates to follow them. It follows one wy communication, as the subordinate acts only according to the command given by the manager. The leader is dogmatic and does not wish to be changed or opposed. This leadership style is very effective in getting productivity in factory style is very effective in getting productivity in factory situations and facilitate quick decision-making. As shown in the fiagram, the decision making power is centralised in the leader.
(iii) Free-rein leadership It involves complete delegation of authority, so that subordinates themselves take decisions. The free-rein leader avoids holiding power and surrenders the authority to subordinates.
This is also known as laissez faire which means no interference in the affairs of others.
This style of leadership is appropriate when the subordinates are well trained, knowledgeable, self-motivated and ready to assume responsibility.