Autocratic Leadership Style

During outdoor Education there are many activities to engage in, whilst participating in these activities the leader has a duty of care for the group. The duty of care is dependant of the risk of the activity, higher risk activities including rock climbing, adventure caving and aquatic activities have a higher level of duty of care. To provide Duty of care the leader must take actions in preventing risks, The importance of formally assessing risks and documenting risk management strategies is now recognised as an essential part of meeting duty of care obligations, and showing, if called upon to do so, that this has been done (Haddock, c. 1993.).

There are 7 recognized ways of reducing risk according to the “managing risks in outdoor Activities”,

However, Unmarked trails requires 1:10. (Department for Education and Child Development, 2007)

2. Leadership styles

There are three different types of leadership styles that a leader can use depending on the particular situation, the three leadership styles are; Autocratic, Democratic and Abdicratic. - Autocratic leadership style is a style used to control a situation in an important circumstance, specifically emergencies. This leadership style is very military like and is a very efficient style adopt to get activities done efficiently and quickly. The style is very predominant in emergencies to control a large group and give direct

Having the knowledge of a participant’s ability will ensure the safety of the person, the instructor will know the boundaries and what they can or cannot make the participant do. Example: Before going on the year 11 Outdoor Education camp, the teacher arranged multiple bike rides, ranging from dirt roads and long-distance bike rides to evaluate on the fitness and skill of the group, the group was also taught how to use a Trangia and set a tent. Aquatic instructors also taught us the basics of kayaking and evaluated on our skills.

5. Ensuring progressive introduction to activities involving higher skill and ability

Prior to an excursion it is important for the instructor to develop the participants skills to meet the standard at which the excursion activity is at. Excursions involving aquatic activities, and outdoor education activities involving bike riding and cooking with Trangia’s and other various task are important to develop prior knowledge towards. It is within the Instructors duty of care to ensure that all participants are at a standard that can meet the level of difficulty for the