2.3 - Leadership and Management

Question 1

what is a manager

Answer 1

an individual who organises resources and monitors the functioning of a business and hold authority within a specific department or function

Question 2

what are the functions of management

Answer 2

• planning
• organising
• commanding
• controlling

Question 3

what is a leader

Answer 3

an individual who has a vision for the future of the business, and motivates others to follow this vision

Question 4

what are the two forms of thinking/managing

Answer 4

scientific management/thinking
* data collected - decisions are made off of data (logical, numerical, data-based)
intuitive management/thinking
* decisions are based on intuition or gut-feeling
(beneficial when data is not available and when data may not work)

Question 5

what are the different leadership styles?

Answer 5

• autocratic
• paternalistic
• democratic
• laissez fair
• situational

Question 6

what is autocratic leadership?
what are its pros/cons?

Answer 6

when leaders make decisions on their own without the input of others, then they announce it to employees

pros
* business will have quicker decision making and easier planning
* clear heirarchy, employees will know whos in charge
* consistent goals of business
* business will seem confident and well led

cons
* may lead to demotivation and decrease in staff morale (lack of contribution)
* more conflict between employee and management regarding decisions
* employees may lose their own skills because of reliance on management

Question 6

what is paternalistic leadership?
what are its pros/cons?

Answer 6

similar to autocratic leadership - yet they will listen to and aknowledge the opinions of employees while still making the fundamental decisions.

pros
* creates loyalty
* decreases labour turnover - because of an emphasis on social needs

cons
* employees may rely on the decisions of management and not be able to make own
* decisions may shift because of perspectives of other individuals

Question 7

what is democratic leadership?
what are its pros/cons?

Answer 7

employees parttake in decision making and the decision is based off of what the majority of individuals want (through voting or informal discussions)
pros
* satisfaction and quality of work may improve
* commitment to the business’ objectives increase

cons
* slow decision making
* some employees will need to compromise
* employees need decision making skills

Question 8

what is laissez-faire leadership?
what are its pros/cons?

Answer 8

leaders trust and allow their employees to make their own decisions without their involvement
pros
* employees more emplowered and motivated
* employees likely to have higher levels of creativity as they take their own initiative
* employees likely to becomed skilled in decision making

cons
* some employees may be less productive without a supervisor
* management team less informed in the decision making process and direction of business
* output of decisions less standardised

Question 9

what is situational leadership?
what are its pros/cons?

Answer 9

when a leader decides their leadership style based on the situation or task

pros
* makes the leadership team more flexible
* makes them more motivated as different tasks - switching it up

cons
* may cause confusion and may slow down the decision making process

Question 10

how to evaluate what the appropriate leadership style is

Answer 10

• personality of the leader (dominant - then autocratic)
• skills and expertise of employees
• nature of work
• culture of business