Which leadership style is characterized by being firm but fair, providing clear direction, and ensuring clarity about expectations?

The leadership style described fits the characteristics of the authoritarian approach. This style emphasizes a clear chain of command and direct supervision, where a leader makes decisions and provides clear guidelines for their team. An authoritarian leader is firm, setting straightforward expectations for performance and behavior, which helps ensure that everyone is aligned with the goals of the organization. This clarity about expectations fosters accountability and can lead to efficient decision-making and task execution.

In contrast, the democratic style encourages input and participation from team members, often involving them in decision-making processes, which may dilute clarity in expectations. Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating teams to innovate and exceed their own limitations, which can sometimes lead to ambiguity in direction. Laissez-faire leadership is characterized by a hands-off approach, allowing team members to make decisions independently, which often results in less clarity and direction from the leader.

Thus, the authoritarian style is the most accurate description of the leadership approach characterized by being firm but fair, providing clear direction, and ensuring clarity regarding expectations.