1.5 Management Styles

Question 1

Management Styles

Answer 1

the behaviours and attitudes of a manager when making decisions, when directing and motivating staff and when implementing plans to achieve business objectives

Question 2

Autocratic

Answer 2

• desire to be in control and have authority over how the businesses desired outcomes are achieved
• employee input is seen as less/not important
• centralised decision making, 1 way communication

advantages: little uncertainty, expectations are known, decision making is efficient
disadvantages: no employee input, potential increase of conflict, ‘us and them’ mentality

Question 3

Persuassive

Answer 3

• convinces employees that the decisions they make are in their best interest, tasks/processes are highly valued
• centralised control, authority and decision making
• 1 way communication

advantages: some form of trust is gained through persuading, workers believe they have an input, clear instructions and expectations
disadvantages: poor communication, employees denied full participation in decision making, attitudes/trust remain negative

Question 4

Consultative

Answer 4

• centralised control/authority
• seek more input from employees, however decisions are still centralised
  decisions are made after consulting with employees
• 2 way communication

advantages: allows greater idea/decision variety, increased motivation, more efficient task completion, better results
disadvantages: time consuming, increased possibility of conflict, some issues are not suitable for a widespreas consultation process

Question 5

Participative

Answer 5

• focuses on management and employee interaction
• people oriented focus, decentralised, 2 way communication

advantages: trust/faith in employee ability, employee sense of ownership/empowerment, shared vision/direction
disadvantages: time consuming, employees may prefer productivity or to be told what to do, potential increase of conflict

Question 6

Laissez-Faire

Answer 6

• focusses on ‘let go’ ‘free rein’ ‘hands off’ approach
• little direction from management, employees empowered to set objectives, solve problems and make decisions

advantages: sense of ownership, completely open communication/ideas, continual encouragement for creativity
disadvantages: complete loss of management control, can breed personal conflicts, management may have nothing to manage