2.2 Management and Leadership Styles

Question 1

Describe McGregor Theory X and Y

Answer 1

Grouped managers into two types

Theory X Managers:
Average workers is lazy and dislikes work

Theory Y Managers:
Most people enjoy work
Workers will take responsibility and organise themselves

Question 2

What are the different styles of leadership?

Answer 2

Authoritarian
Paternalistic
Democratic
Laissez-faire

Question 3

Describe Authoritarian leadership style (include advantages and disadvantages)

Answer 3

Managers like to make all the important decisions and closely supervise and control workers

Advantages - Tasks are completed quicker
Disadvantages - Can make employees become demotivated and concerned

Question 4

Describe Paternalistic leadership style (include advantages and disadvantages)

Answer 4

Managers give more attention to the views of their workers

Advantages - Be more willing to listen to manager when they voice opinions
Disadvantages - Workers views may not always be used when making decisions

Question 5

Describe Democratic leadership style (include advantages and disadvantages)

Answer 5

Style of management will put trust into employees and encourage them to make decisions

Advantages - Everyone’s opinions are heard
Disadvantages - It will take longer to make decisions

Question 6

Describe Laissez-faire leadership style (include advantages and disadvantages)

Answer 6

Managers have little input into day to day decision making as they have made a conscious decision to delegate power

Advantages - Makes employees feel satisfied with job]
Disadvantages - Are they a clear goals, a timeframe?

Question 7

What is the Blake Mouton Grid?

Answer 7

It categorises management and leadership styles based on the degree of importance given to the concern for production in relation to the concern for people

Question 8

Describe Impoverished management style (include grading)

Answer 8

Laissez-faire style; minimum effort on management; hoping to avoid blame for errors (1,1)

Question 9

Describe Country Club management style (include grading)

Answer 9

Focus on creating safe, comfortable working environment; looking to avoid conflict with staff (1,9)

Question 10

Describe Authoritarian management style (include grading)

Answer 10

Autocratic style consistent with McGregor Theory X: workers have to complete tasks, nothing else (9,1)

Question 11

Describe Team Leader management style (include grading)

Answer 11

Staff closely involved in decision-making and feel valued; consistent with McGregor Theory Y (9,9)

Question 12

Describe Middle of the Road management style (include grading)

Answer 12

Compromises made to achieve acceptable performance; thought to be less effective leadership style (5,5)