Scenarios
Joe wanted to leave work early because he had a long week and wanted to get a head start on resting. He felt like, despite not finishing his tasks, that his boss would allow it. His boss rarely had anything positive or negative to say, and just as Joe suspected, he was given permission to start his weekend early.
Laissez-faire Leadership
One individual makes decisions unilaterally, with little or no input from others.
Autocratic Leadership
2004
The year that Youth Action was founded
The Chill-o-crat
This public servant is considered a "democratic leader" because they have to consider the thoughts and opinions of many others before making a final decision.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips
Mary believed she had a good idea about how to best complete the project. However, her group leader insisted that following the correct procedure would render the best results. The leader decided to ignore Mary's idea in favor of the given instructions.
Bureaucratic leadership
Strong emphasis on rules, procedures, and hierarchical structures and focus on ensuring that operations and tasks are carried out according to established policies, protocols, and regulations.
Bureaucratic leadership
1.53 million
The population of Philadelphia
The Bureacrat
This officer of the law is considered an "autocratic leader" because they have a lot of power in their position to make lasting, impactful decisions.
Judge Karen Simmons
A group of teens quickly realized that there were not enough beds at the cabin they rented for the weekend. The group leader was responsible for asking 2 people to leave, so they decided to have 1:1 conversations with each guest. Only after they had a talk with each guest did they ask Simon and Taylor to leave.
DemoCratic leadership
A hands-off approach, allowing team members significant freedom in making decisions and carrying out tasks.
Laissez-faire Leadership
78 years
Donald Trump's age
Leadership style is most effective when trying to lead a group of unskilled people, whom you cannot trust to work independently, towards completing an urgent task.
The Autocrat
This panelist would not be considered a laissez-faire leader, as their continuous insight and attention is critical to their job function.
Judge Karen Simmons
Susan was onboarded to her new job in the middle of a turbulent time for her company. Her boss mentioned an important project that her and the other new hires would be expected to help out with. However, when Susan finished her training 2 weeks later, she learned that her boss finished the entire project alone.
Autocratic leadership
Leader actively involves team members in the decision-making process and emphasizes collaboration, open communication, and shared responsibility.
Democratic Leadership
$6.2 billion
Philadelphia's 2024 operating budget
Leadership style works best when leader does not have all the answers, and is working with a team of capable people who can responsibly make important decisions.
The DemoCrat
This panelist is the opposite of a "bureaucratic leader", as they have consistently blazed their own path and have made a career out of compelling Black women and girls to do the same.
Melonie Butler