Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business Studies
Lesson Topic: the main leadership styles: autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the three main leadership styles and their key characteristics.
  • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of autocratic, democratic, and laissez‑faire leadership.
  • Analyse situational factors to select the most appropriate leadership style.
  • Evaluate how leadership style influences employee motivation and organisational performance.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout summarising each leadership style
  • Comparison chart worksheet
  • Printed case‑study scenarios
  • Sticky notes for group activity
 Introduction:
Begin with a short video clip showing a manager making a rapid decision during a crisis, then ask students to consider how different leadership approaches might affect the outcome. Link to prior learning on organisational structure and set the success criteria: students will be able to identify, compare, and apply leadership styles appropriately.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list known leaders and guess the style they use; quick whole‑class share.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present definitions and key features of autocratic, democratic, and laissez‑faire leadership using slides and the comparison table.
  3. Guided analysis (12'): In pairs, examine a case scenario and decide which style is most suitable, recording reasons on sticky notes.
  4. Whole‑class discussion (8'): Groups present their choices; teacher highlights strengths/weaknesses and completes the comparison chart.
  5. Application activity (10'): Students complete a worksheet matching leadership styles to real‑world business situations.
  6. Exit ticket (5'): Write one sentence summarising when each style is most effective.
Conclusion:
Recap the three styles and their optimal contexts, emphasizing the need for flexible leadership. Students submit an exit ticket stating which style they would adopt in a given scenario. For homework, they research a well‑known business leader and prepare a brief report linking the leader’s approach to one of the studied styles.