From the course: Leadership Foundations: Leadership Styles and Models

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Laissez-faire style

Laissez-faire style

- I was once talking to a friend, and the topic turned to laissez-faire leadership. She said outright, "That's what I call non-leadership." Critics of this style say, laissez-faire leadership is difficult to defend. Supporters say that it can work in the right circumstances. As we look at this style, think about whether or not you would like to work under a laissez-faire leader. To learn more about this style, let's look at its characteristics, potential uses, and criticisms. In terms of its characteristics, the key feature of this style is reflected in its name. The term, laissez-faire, has a French origin. It literally translates to, let do, or let them do it. It's a hands-off approach. The term comes from the economic philosophy of noninterference. The belief is the free market will self-regulate. In the same way, this leadership style takes a hands-off approach with subordinates. These leaders believe followers…

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