Define the term 'leadership'.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] A definition that suggests that 'leadership is the motivation of people towards achieving a common objective or goal'.
2. [2] Other answers might focus on leaders providing vision, direction, inspiration, strategy, for a business and could be awarded 2 marks if developed.
3. [1] Definitions that just refer to the motivation of staff.
4. [0] Do not accept definitions of 'management' – which is said to be about setting objectives, organising resources, co-ordinating staff.
5. [0] A list of types of leadership.
6. [3] Sound explanation of two leadership styles.
7. [2] Sound explanation of one leadership style or partial explanation of two.
8. [1] Partial explanation of one leadership style or a list of two.
9. [0] No creditable content.
10. Autocratic - all decisions taken by leader – staff supervised closely, one-way communication – little information given to staff.
11. Democratic - participation encouraged, two-way communication, sharing of information, feedback encouraged – involvement of staff in decision-making.
12. Paternalistic – leader assumes he/she in a better position than staff to know what is best for the organisation, some consultation but final decisions taken by leaders no true participation in decision-making.
13. Laissez-faire – much of decision-making made by the workforce, arms-length approach – the reverse of autocratic leadership – lots of delegation within very broad limits.