Results are mixed. In general, authoritarian styles are superior when the leader has much more information regarding the task, when time is limited, and immediate productivity is required. Democratic leadership ordinarily produces higher member satisfaction and morale. It also results in higher quality decisions when members have as much or more knowledge than the leader regarding a particular problem. Another way of differentiating among leaders is by their task or maintenance orientation.
Every group has to accomplish tasks and maintain itself if it is going to continue to function.
Leaders exhibit task behavior when they explain what, when, where and how members are to accomplish the job. They show maintenance behavior through two-way communication with members, providing social and psychological support to group members and helping them function as a group. An Ohio State study revealed some leaders concentrated on directing members' activities to accomplish the task. Others concentrated on maintaining personal relationships between themselves and their followers. Some demonstrated both task and maintenance behavior.