A PM used a laissez-faire leadership style with a newly hired team; soon the team underperformed, the schedule slipped, and costs rose. What should the PM have done at project start?

A newly hired team, by definition, lacks established processes, familiarity with team members, and understanding of project specifics. Therefore, a direct management style is appropriate at the project's start to provide clear guidance, set expectations, and ensure the team understands their roles and responsibilities. Laissez-faire, or hands-off, leadership is generally ineffective for new teams as it can lead to confusion, lack of direction, and underperformance. While allowing independent work, setting goals with authority, and servant leadership are valuable approaches, they are typically more effective once a team has matured and demonstrated competence. The key is adapting the leadership style to the team's current needs and maturity level.