What is Leadership as a Continuum Model?

This model was proposed by Robert Tannenbaum and Warren Schmidt, who detailed numerous leadership styles ranging from highly-autocratic to very laissez-faire. The styles include:

• Leader makes the decision and communicates it to subordinates.
• Leader makes the decision and convinces subordinates as to its validity.
• Leader seeks input from subordinates before making the decision.
• Leader makes preliminary decision subject to change based on subordinate response.
• Leader presents issue, takes inputs, and makes decisions.
• Leader defines the rules or limits and allows the group to make decisions.
• Leader leaves group with autonomy to make decisions within limits.