Leadership Style

According to Marquis and Huston, leadership is viewed by some as one of management's many functions; others maintain that leadership requires more complex skills than management and that management is only one role of leadership; still others delineate between the two (Marquis & Huston, 2009). As we are aware, there are many styles for one to lead or manage others. With that being said, the two styles chosen are participatory and transformational leadership.

Transformational leadership is defined as "an interactive relationship, based on trust that positively impacts both the leader and the follower. The purposes of the leader and follower become focused, creating unity, wholeness and collective purpose."(Marquis and Huston, 2009 p. 43). Participatory style of leading is a form of democratic leadership. The style promotes autonomy and the employees' individual growth. This style In particular, can be very effective when cooperation and coordination is needed between groups according to Marquis and Huston. (Marquis and Huston, 2009)

Leadership is less about your needs, and more about the needs of the people and the organization you are leading (Leadership Styles, 2011). When faced with the question, what style of leadership do you represent; I had to think back. While being in a management position in the past, I never thought of it as a leadership position. There are many styles of management; I think my style fits into participatory style. The benefit of participatory leadership is the process allows for the development of additional leaders who can serve the organization at a later date. People are able to express their creativity and demonstrate abilities and talents that would not otherwise be apparent. Having input from staff can make things simpler for all. An effective participative leadership allows the talents and skills of the team members to be utilized arriving at decisions and taking courses of action. Participatory management appears to be the style of leadership where having full participation and cooperation from staff help to benefit the work of the current staff, but also alerts the organization to people within the staff who should be provided with the opportunities to further develop some skill or ability for future use. While the leader is still responsible for making the final decision, sharing of functions within the team provides the perfect environment for everyone's input that has the potential to make that final decision better-rounded and ultimately profitable for the company as a whole( Galford & Maruca, 2011). Leaders using this style can win the co-operation of the group and motivate them effectively and positively.

When comparing managers and leaders we see the biggest difference in them is the way they motivate the people who work for them. Managers are in a position of authority assigned to them by the company, their employees work for