Chapter 5 Management Styles

Management Style The manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans and motivating people Style will depend on: Manager’s personality Managers skills Skill levels of employees Nature of workplace Time available Changes to environments

Autocratic Management Style FeaturesStrengthsWeaknesses -Manager desires to be in complete control -Manager makes decisions alone -Belief that money is linked to motivation -Authority is centralised -Communication is one way from the manager down -Decision making is fast as only one person -Leader experienced -Often clear directions are given -High regard for production and efficiency -No opportunity for input from workers -Workers may resent being ordered around, leading to decreased morale and productivity -Doesn’t allow for open communication, feed back on ideas

Persuasive Management Style FeaturesStrengthsWeaknesses -Manager makes decisions alone but explains why -Authority is centralised -One-way communication -places some value on the importance of employee’s contribution to performance of organisation -Decision making quick -Suits high risk decisions e.g. closure of a factory -employees clear in what they have to achieve -no input from workers into decision making -Workers can still feel alienated as opinions not sought

Consultative Management Style FeaturesStrengthsWeaknesses -Manager makes decision alone, after consulting with staff -Authority is still centralised by workers opinions are considered -Two-way communication -places value on employee’s contribution -gain a variety of ideas – may lead to better decision-making -workers may take more ownership of decision if involved in process -acts to motivate and increase employees level of job satisfaction -can be time-consuming if all employees/stakeholders are consulted -workers may still feel alienated if they were consulted but their opinions not included in final decision

Participative Management Style FeaturesStrengthsWeaknesses -Manager and employees make decision together -Authority is decentralised -two-way communication -motivating employees by trying to satisfy their broad needs -manager demonstrating faith in employees -Can boost morale, motivation and productivity -high levels of ownership as workers make decisions themselves -Shared vision and direction between management and employees -Can be very time-consuming -can cause conflict between workers -not all workers want to be involved in decision-making; they may resent being part of the process

Laissez-faire Management Style FeaturesStrengthsWeaknesses -Employees are left to make decisions on their own in their area -Authority is totally decentralised -Communication channels can vary depending on the organisation -Workers experience a great deal of control, can lead to boosts in morale and productivity -can be a good style in workplaces where creative freedom is important -good for team work -lack of guidance and monitoring from management can lead to problems in terms of control -some workers may not be capable of this level of self- direction -does not suit unskilled employees who need routine tasks