Leadership classification

1. Operational leaders: Those persons who actually initiate action within the group, regardless of whether or not they hold an elected office
2. Popularity leaders: A popular person will be elected to a position of leadership because the members like him. Sometimes such an individual may or may not be the actual leader of the group. Such persons holding elective positions do very little about initiating action for the group and are mere figureheads or ornamental leaders. They are also called nominal leaders
3. Assumed representative type: It refers to a person selected to work with a committee or other leaders because s/he is assumed to represents another group they desire to work with.
4. Prominent talent: e.g. artists and musicians who have exhibited an outstanding ability and accomplishment in their respective fields. It may include the experts and intellectual leaders

Another classification divides leaders into two categories:

1. Professional leaders: The professional leader is one who has received specific specialized training in the field. The leader works full time as an occupation and is paid for his work. For e.g.; Extension Officer, Agricultural Officer etc.
2. Lay leaders: The lay leader may or may not have received special training, is not paid for his work and usually works part time e.g. youth club president. Lay leaders also called as Volunteer leaders, or local leaders or natural leaders. These local leaders may be either formal leaders or informal leaders, depending on whether they are regular office bearers of organized groups or not.

The most significant classification from the viewpoint of modern research as well as practical application of the results of research are;

1. Autocratic

• Determines all policies, activities and goals of the organization.
• Takes no part in work except when conducting meeting, telling others what to do or demonstrating.
• Members are uncertain about what to do and usually take actions they are told to take.
• Leader is personal in both praise and criticism of the work.

2. Democratic

• Produces a shared leadership that permits a feeling of satisfaction and achievement.
• Helps the members of understand the steps required in working.
• Members take more responsibility for group maintenance and task performance.

3. Laissez-faire

• Gives minimum guidance
• Remains in the background and seldom express an opinion or works with a minimum of roles.
• Members often act as leaders in making decisions that guide the organization