What term describes a leadership style characterized by an absence of leadership where situations are allowed to take their own course?

The term that describes a leadership style characterized by an absence of leadership, where situations are allowed to take their own course, is laissez-faire. This approach leads to minimal intervention by the leader, allowing team members to make their own decisions and set their own direction. In laissez-faire leadership, individuals are granted a high degree of autonomy, which can foster creativity and innovation as team members feel empowered to explore their ideas. However, this lack of guidance can also result in unclear expectations and potential chaos if team members lack the necessary experience or motivation to self-direct effectively.

The other choices represent different leadership styles that involve varying degrees of leader involvement. Management-by-Exception-Passive involves the leader taking a hands-off approach but only intervening when standards are not met, while Management-by-Exception-Active entails leaders closely monitoring follower performance and stepping in as needed when deviations occur. Inspirational Motivation focuses on a leader's ability to inspire and motivate their followers towards achieving shared goals, which contrasts with the non-interventionist nature of laissez-faire leadership.