LEADERSHIP STYLES

As a director, your instruction style and leadership qualities play a powerful role on the environment and its impact on the motivational element of dance training. You may find that you identify with one style over another, or that your leadership style encompasses a combination of various styles! Either way, it is important to know when it may be appropriate to implement these styles depending on the team’s needs.

SOCIAL IDENTITY THEORY

LEADERSHIP & COMMITMENT

What is the relationship between leadership styles of directors and the commitment of student-dancers?

The commitment and passion to dance depends on the leadership style that the choreographer is using and applying to the entire dance team. When it comes to commitment, what dancers do outside the studio is synonymous with what occurs inside.

The Social Identity Theory of Leadership focuses on the cultivation of a collective social identity. Under this theory, others are influenced in participating in activity because the leader creates, depicts, reinforces, and embeds the group’s purpose by initiating activities which enable group members to ‘live out’ their shared identity.

The way people think and act helps them make sense of who they are and provides a model of what they can strive for (and in most cases, achieve), which leads to a higher perception of ‘groupness’ and, therefore, can generate greater adherence to the group and its goals.

As such, it is important for dance instructors to identify the areas that motivate team members and thereby come up with an approach that is in line with these motivations to promote participation.

AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP

“INTENSE STYLE” OR “AUTOCRATIC STYLE”

Refers to a leader’s behavior that asserts a very strong authority and control, and demands compliance from all members. (Farh and Cheng, 2000).

MAIN CHARATERISTICS

  • Directive, high demands

  • Makes decisions independently, expects compliance, and maintains strict control over followers

  • Enforces consequences for not doing upholding standards

  • Takes “command” without an “asking” approach

ADVANTAGES:

  • Clear Direction and Structure: Provides transparency amongst members regarding expectations, which may improve organizational structure

  • High Standards and Discipline: Promotes rigor and discipline in practice, leading to potentially higher performance levels.

  • Efficiency and Speed: Decisions are made quickly by bypassing the feedback/collaboration process. May be ideal in time-sensitive situations like preparing for competitions or shows

  • Consistency in Vision: Maintains complete control over the artistic vision, ensuring uniformity in style, interpretation, and presentation

DISADVANTAGES:

  • One-way Learning Process → leader may show lack of consideration to outside perspectives and is typically the only one determining the rules, rewards, and standards

  • Lack of engagement: Dancers may feel like passive participants rather than collaborators, and not feel invested in the process as a result.

  • High Stress & Decreased Motivation: Constant pressure to meet expectations and lack of autonomy can lead to burnout or resentment.

  • Limited Creativity and Expression: A rigid approach may suppress emotional expression and individuality within the team.

LAISSEZ-FAIRE LEADERSHIP

“DELEGATIVE LEADERSHIP”

A type of leadership style where leaders are hands-off and let the group leaders make decisions.

MAIN CHARATERISTICS

  • Built on trust

  • Leave the job to their members to complete the task in a freely manner

  • Does not enforce strict policies and procedures

  • Adaptable and Student-Centered: Encourages flexibility by allowing instructors to tailor their involvement based on the needs of the team.

  • Facilitates Collaborative Learning: Fosters peer-to-peer learning and group collaboration, leading to diversity & creativity among the artistic vision

  • Promotes Autonomy and Ownership: Promotes a motivational element by empowering members to be responsible for their own learning and development.

ADVANTAGES:

DISADVANTAGES:

  • Lack of Structure and Guidance: Members may feel lost or overwhelmed without clear expectations or oversight, which may lead to inconsistent performance quality

  • Risk of Low Productivity: Lack of cohesion in deadlines, direction, or pressure can impact progress – dancers may underperform if not self-motivated or goal-oriented

  • Uneven Participation: More confident or dominant dancers may take over, while introverted and less experienced dancers are disregarded, which may lead to group imbalance or tension.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

“PARTICIPATIVE STYLE”

Utilizes their own input while inviting participation and involvement within a group who may not be otherwise be (or feel) represented.

MAIN CHARATERISTICS

  • Based on mutual respect

  • Requires collaboration between the leader and the followers

  • Fosters participation in the process of decision-making in connection to the entire group’s goals and methods

  • Works best if all members are highly skilled and competent, and are eager to share their knowledge and ideas

ADVANTAGES:

  • Fosters skill development and critical thinking: Encourages dancers to reflect on their performance, make choices, and problem-solve.

  • Adaptable and supportive environment: Leader guides the group while remaining responsive to individual input, which is beneficial for diverse groups with varying needs and styles

  • Fosters motivation and group identity: When member concerns are heard, they tend to feel valued the more they are integrated into the group.

  • Increased engagement: When dancers help shape the process, they’re more invested in the outcome, leading to self-sufficiency, confidence, and collaboration

DISADVANTAGES:

  • Time consuming: Gathering different opinions may prolong the decision-making process, especially if there is a lack of consensus in determining optimal solutions 

  • Diluted artistic vision: Too much input from students might dilute the instructor’s choreographic intent or style, which makes it more difficult to maintain consistency or technical standards without strong direction

  • Need for skilled leadership: Leader may be perceived as indecisive or lacking control if boundaries aren’t, which may cause tendency for members to ignore their directives.