Lost on the Moon Exercise
"I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people."
-- Indira Gandhi
How important is leadership? Must all leaders 'get along with people'? Are there different types of leaders? Are different leaders needed for different situations? Which leaders, which situations? In this activity we will look at these questions as we try to respond to an inter-planetary emergency. Prepare for take-off.
Leadership Styles
Authoritarian Leadership
An authoritarian leader has "authority" to act as they think best. In other words, if you are an authoritarian leader the final decision rests with you. You may act as you wish in the decision-making process because the final decision is yours. In an authoritarian system obedience to authority is expected, so the leader may have to be forceful. This doesn't mean that you must be rude or ignore the ideas of the other group members. You will probably find that some members of your group may react strongly to your approach but you must maintain your authority.
Democratic Leadership
A democratic leader encourages the input of all group members and respects all opinions. If you are a democratic leader, your primary goal should be to ensure that there is group discussion and all members have a chance to express their ideas. If it is impossible for the group to come to a consensus, then you should take a vote. It is important that you do not just resort to a majority decision though, as it is essential to respect all ideas, especially those of the minority.
Laissez-faire Leadership
Laissez-faire means a policy of non-interference. If you are a Laissez-faire leader you do not want to impose yourself on others or affect another person's rights. As a laissez-faire leader you will not want to take part in decision-making at all. Because this is your leadership style, it is important that you are careful how you express your opinion in front of the group as they may interpret this as an attempt to direct the decision-making process.
Lost on the Moon Questions
After you have completed the group exercise, answer the following questions in your notebook.
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