Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which leadership style allows members to take primary responsibility for decisions and actions?

1. Authoritarian

2. Democratic

3. Laissez faire

4. Directive

The correct answer is: Laissez faire

The leadership style that allows members to take primary responsibility for decisions and actions is known as laissez-faire. This approach empowers team members by granting them a significant level of autonomy. In a laissez-faire environment, leaders step back and allow individuals to utilize their skills and make decisions without constant oversight or intervention. This style fosters creativity and innovation, as team members feel trusted to manage their own work and approaches to various tasks. While other leadership styles may involve team input or collaboration, they typically keep some level of decision-making authority within the leader or group. In contrast, laissez-faire emphasizes a hands-off approach, ultimately leading to personal accountability among team members for their actions and decisions. This can be particularly effective in highly skilled teams where individuals are capable of self-management and thrive in a setting that encourages independence.