Understanding Laissez Faire Leadership in Real Work Life

In every workplace, the way leader behaves with team is very important. Some leaders like to control everything. Some like to be in the middle of every task. But there is also a different style – where leader steps back and lets team work with full freedom. This is called laissez faire leadership.

In this article, we will explain what is laissez faire leadership, how it works, when it is useful, and also what are the good and bad sides of this style. Many people think this style means leader is lazy or doesn’t care. But that is not true. It is a very special style that works in the right situation.

What Is Laissez Faire Leadership?

The word “laissez-faire” is French. It means “let it be” or “let people do what they want.” So, in laissez faire leadership, the leader gives full independence to the team. He or she does not interfere in daily tasks. The team takes their own decisions, plans, and even solves problems on their own.

The leader in this style is not totally absent. They are available for support if needed, but they don’t tell people how to do things. The trust is very high between leader and team.

This style is opposite of autocratic leadership, where leader makes all the decisions. In laissez faire leadership, team has the power.

How Laissez Faire Leadership Works

In this leadership style, team members usually are very experienced or skilled. They don’t need step-by-step guidance. The leader gives them the goals or results they must achieve. After that, team chooses the way to complete the task.

For example, in a research team at a university, the professor may not tell each researcher what to do every day. Instead, he gives a general idea and lets the experts work in their own style.

In this way, laissez faire leadership allows creativity, freedom, and self-management.

When Laissez Faire Leadership Is Useful

This leadership style is not good for every team or every project. But it is perfect for some situations. Let’s see when it works best:

✔ Skilled and Independent Teams

If the team members have high knowledge, experience, and responsibility, they don’t need daily instructions. In this case, laissez faire leadership helps them feel trusted and motivated.

✔ Creative or Innovative Projects

Projects that need new ideas or innovation work better when team has freedom. For example, graphic designers, writers, researchers, or software developers may work better with this leadership.

✔ Long-Term Projects

In long projects, it’s not practical for leader to monitor every step. With this style, team can manage time and tasks on their own.

✔ Startups or Flat Teams

In modern startups where hierarchy is low and everyone is equal, laissez faire leadership fits well. It supports open work culture and self-direction.

Advantages of Laissez Faire Leadership

This style can bring many good results when used in the right place. Here are the main advantages:

👍 High Motivation

When people feel trusted, they take more ownership of their work. They feel proud and motivated.

👍 More Creativity

With no strict rules, team can try new ideas and bring creative solutions.

👍 Fast Learning

In laissez faire leadership, team members solve their own problems. This helps them learn fast and grow their skills.

👍 Less Stress on Leader

Leader does not have to control everything. They can focus on strategy or bigger picture while team handles day-to-day work.

Disadvantages of Laissez Faire Leadership

Still, this style is not perfect. It can create problems if used in wrong situation.

👎 Lack of Direction

If team is not clear about goals, they may go in different directions and waste time.

👎 Weak Team Members May Struggle

Not all employees are ready to work with full freedom. Some may feel lost or unproductive.

👎 Low Accountability

Without control, sometimes work is delayed or quality is low. There is risk that no one takes full responsibility.

👎 Poor Team Communication

In laissez faire leadership, if leader is not checking in, communication inside team may break down.

Which Projects Fit Laissez Faire Leadership Best?

Let’s look at some real-life examples where this leadership style works very well:

• Design Projects: Graphic design, UX/UI, or branding projects need creative freedom.

• Research & Development: Scientists and engineers work better when they can explore ideas freely.

• Software Development: Especially in open-source or agile teams with high skill level.

• Academic or Education Projects: Professors guiding students, but letting them do their own research.

• Artistic Work: Filmmaking, writing, music production – artists need space to create.

In these projects, controlling every step can actually reduce quality. Laissez faire leadership gives space for talent to shine.

Is Laissez Faire Style Good for Every Leader?

No, it depends on both the leader and the team. A leader who uses laissez faire leadership must trust the team, be patient, and stay calm even when mistakes happen. Also, they should step in when the team is stuck – not just disappear.

This style also needs team members who are confident, motivated, and clear in communication.

If leader is too relaxed, and team is too dependent, then the project can fail. So this style needs balance and experience.

Final Thoughts

Laissez faire leadership is a powerful style when used with the right people in the right situation. It allows freedom, innovation, and team ownership. But it is not for every workplace. If the team is new, or confused, or needs strong guidance, this style may not help.

A good leader knows when to give freedom and when to give direction. Sometimes laissez faire leadership is the best way to let people grow, take charge, and bring their best ideas to life.

So, if you are working with smart, responsible team members, maybe try stepping back – and see how much they can do when you trust them.

 Also read about another popular leadership style - Autocratic leadership style