2.3 Leadership and management Flashcards
Key functions of management:
- planning
- organizing
- commanding
- coordinating
- controlling
Styles of leadership and management:
- autocratic
- paternalistic
- democratic
- laissez-faire
- situational
Autocratic leadership style
Strict and rigid management style that involves only managers making all the decisions in an organization.
Autocratic managers do not like to delegate responsibility to subordinates.
This style is suitable in situations that require:
- decisive actions
- when critical decisions need to be made
- during a crisis
- when dealing with unskilled or poor workers
Autocratic management style can demotivate and alienate the workforce.
Paternalistic leadership style
Paternalistic managers act rather like the parents, they take actions that they believe are in the best interest of the subordinates, they come across as being caring, affectionate and protective of their staff.
Paternalistic managers can be somewhat autocratic in that they do not necessarily consult the subordinate, but paternalistic managers tend to have a good bond and professional relationship with their teams because they come across as being caring, affectionate and protective of their staff.
Democratic leadership style
Leaders who take into account the views of others when making decisions. This participative leadership style means that decision-making is decentralised.
Laissez-faire leadership style
Based on having minimal direct in put in the work of employees. Instead, they allow subordinates to make their own decisions and to complete tasks in their own way.
Situational leadership style
The belief that there is no single leadership style that suits all situations. The ‘best’ style depends on situational factors, such as the attitudes, behaviour and competencies of managers and workers.
Factors that influence leadership styles
- The leader’s personality
- The leader’s skills and abilities
- Circumstances
- Corporate culture
- Task
- The workforce
