Authoritative Style

Just a tidbit of a comment below.

The authoritative style of leadership is more dictatorial than its actual definition because it is derived from the word "authority." Though "authoritative" denotes a negative style of leading, it is a psychological term that describes different parenting styles. An authoritative parenting style should be discerned from the "authoritarian." I do not know whether the leadership term is derived from the psychological meaning, but it was the first thing I thought of when hearing of this in Goleman's work.

Authoritarian parents are highly demanding and directive, but not responsive. "They are obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62). These parents provide well-ordered and structured environments with clearly stated rules. Authoritarian parents can be divided into two types: nonauthoritarian-directive, who are directive, but not intrusive or autocratic in their use of power, and authoritarian-directive, who are highly intrusive.

Authoritative parents are both demanding and responsive. "They monitor and impart clear standards for their children’s conduct. They are assertive, but not intrusive and restrictive. Their disciplinary methods are supportive, rather than punitive. They want their children to be assertive as well as socially responsible, and self-regulated as well as cooperative" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62).



citation: http://www.athealth.com/Practitioner/ceduc/parentingstyles.html