Management Styles
Management and Leadership
are often confused or
discussed as if they are the
same thing. They are similar
and do overlap, but there is a
difference. The distinction is that leaders have the
Vision, define the strategy, are guiding and directing.
The manager’s role is to implement the vision, make it
happen, complete the task they are given by the leader.
They are not expected to come up with changes of
overall strategy or direction of the company unless they
are in a leadership position too.
So although leaders define the direction, they will also
need management skills to guide their team effectively
to implement the Vision.
Management styles
There are many ways of analysing and distinguishing
styles of management. Everyone’s style is unique,
because it is affected by their personality as well as
the approach they adopt.
For a more detailed discussion on styles, follow the
link http://www.managementskillscourses.com/
management-styles/
Let’s briefly consider a number of well recognised
behaviours;-
The Democratic Manager will give their staff
flexibility to use their own methods as long as they
achieve the desired results. Will usually liaise with
them about targets and then leave them to work in
their own way.
The Autocratic Manager will make decisions and
then give instructions to staff. This style is
controlling and managers usually have a tight
control on staff tasks and deadlines.
The Persuasive Manager is a cross between the
democrat and the autocrat, in that they consult with
staff before making decisions, but do make the
decision themselves.
The Paternalistic Manager is a “people person“ is
known as firm but fair, will discuss rationale for
decisions with staff
The Bureaucratic Manager will not deviate from the
laid down procedure and never allows anything out
of the ordinary to happen.
The Laissez Faire Manager leaves everyone to get
on with their job without interference, but will freely
give mentoring, coaching and help as requested.
The Chaotic Manager allows staff to have total
control over the decision making process.
Which is the most effective method?
It helps to be comfortable with using a range of styles
you can move between as appropriate. This will vary
with the staff you are managing, their age, their
experience, capabilities, and the type of work you have
to complete with them
What is the best style?
The best management style depends on the culture and
situation you work in, and the staff you have to work
with.
They may be process staff who do not want to take
any responsibility or professionals, such as accountants
or engineers, who expect to make their own decisions.
A manager may adopt a style in a particular situation,
and then radically modify their style in another
situation with different employees.
What affects management style?
Management styles can be affected by cultural
influences. E.g. Russians will more naturally be
autocratic managers, whilst Americans will be more
democratic.
In some cultures, managers are not specialists but
generalists, with their management skills seen as more
important than technical skills. In this case the
manager will have technical experts in their team, but
it is their role to lead the team and get the best
performance from them, not to be a technical expert.
In other cultures the technical expert will act as team
leader, with management skills considered less
important.
So the leadership and management style is affected by
various factors , not least their personality, the culture,
the task and the staff and situations they need to
manage.
Over the years Management styles have evolved, even
as society and management theory evolve. Profit is
always an important objective but it is also now
considered just as important to ensure job satisfaction
for employees, who are recognised as a significant
company asset
Management and Leadership
are often confused or
discussed as if they are the
same thing. They are similar
and do overlap, but there is a
difference. The distinction is that leaders have the
Vision, define the strategy, are guiding and directing.
The manager’s role is to implement the vision, make it
happen, complete the task they are given by the leader.
They are not expected to come up with changes of
overall strategy or direction of the company unless they
are in a leadership position too.
So although leaders define the direction, they will also
need management skills to guide their team effectively
to implement the Vision.
Management styles
There are many ways of analysing and distinguishing
styles of management. Everyone’s style is unique,
because it is affected by their personality as well as
the approach they adopt.
For a more detailed discussion on styles, follow the
link http://www.managementskillscourses.com/
management-styles/
Let’s briefly consider a number of well recognised
behaviours;-
The Democratic Manager will give their staff
flexibility to use their own methods as long as they
achieve the desired results. Will usually liaise with
them about targets and then leave them to work in
their own way.
The Autocratic Manager will make decisions and
then give instructions to staff. This style is
controlling and managers usually have a tight
control on staff tasks and deadlines.
The Persuasive Manager is a cross between the
democrat and the autocrat, in that they consult with
staff before making decisions, but do make the
decision themselves.
The Paternalistic Manager is a “people person“ is
known as firm but fair, will discuss rationale for
decisions with staff
The Bureaucratic Manager will not deviate from the
laid down procedure and never allows anything out
of the ordinary to happen.
The Laissez Faire Manager leaves everyone to get
on with their job without interference, but will freely
give mentoring, coaching and help as requested.
The Chaotic Manager allows staff to have total
control over the decision making process.
Which is the most effective method?
It helps to be comfortable with using a range of styles
you can move between as appropriate. This will vary
with the staff you are managing, their age, their
experience, capabilities, and the type of work you have
to complete with them
What is the best style?
The best management style depends on the culture and
situation you work in, and the staff you have to work
with.
They may be process staff who do not want to take
any responsibility or professionals, such as accountants
or engineers, who expect to make their own decisions.
A manager may adopt a style in a particular situation,
and then radically modify their style in another
situation with different employees.
What affects management style?
Management styles can be affected by cultural
influences. E.g. Russians will more naturally be
autocratic managers, whilst Americans will be more
democratic.
In some cultures, managers are not specialists but
generalists, with their management skills seen as more
important than technical skills. In this case the
manager will have technical experts in their team, but
it is their role to lead the team and get the best
performance from them, not to be a technical expert.
In other cultures the technical expert will act as team
leader, with management skills considered less
important.
So the leadership and management style is affected by
various factors , not least their personality, the culture,
the task and the staff and situations they need to
manage.
Over the years Management styles have evolved, even
as society and management theory evolve. Profit is
always an important objective but it is also now
considered just as important to ensure job satisfaction
for employees, who are recognised as a significant
company asset
Comments
Post a Comment