3.2.1- Understanding management, leadership and decision making

Question 1

What do managers do?

Answer 1

• Set objectives for their departments
• Decide what work needs to be done to need objectives and resources needed
• Make decisions using data analysis and interpretation
• Review effectiveness of their decisions and make further decisions based on their conclusion
• Lead staff

Question 2

What’s the difference between managing and leading?

Answer 2

• Managing: Telling people what to do and organising resources to get the job done
• Leading: Motivating people and inspiring them to do things

Question 3

What are the main factors of an autocratic style?

Answer 3

• Manager/leader makes decisions on their own, saying how objectives are going to be achieved.
• Useful when dealing with unskilled workers and crisis management
• Can demotivate able and intelligent workers

Question 4

What are the main factors of a paternalistic (fatherly) style?

Answer 4

• Softer form of autocratic style
• Leader consults workers before making decisions, explaining decisions and persuading this is the best option.
• These leaders think getting involved is a positive motivator

Question 5

What are the main factors of a democratic style?

Answer 5

• The leader encourages workforce to participate in decisions
• Discuss issues with worker, delegate responsibility an listen to advice
• Good communicators
• Can increase employee motivation
• Takes weight off of leaders

Question 6

What are the main factors of a laissez-faire style?

Answer 6

• Weak form of leadership
• Leaders offer employees coaching and support but rarely interfere in the business
• Only appropriate for small, highly motivated team of able workers

Question 7

Explain the Tannenbaum Schmidt Continuum.

Answer 7

• Tell: autocratic style, zero involvement of workforce in decision making
• Sell: Manager makes decisions but presents it to the workforce as sounding rational
• Suggest: Decision is outlined to workforce and they can discuss and ask questions
• Consult: Manager proposes a tentative decision and invites discussion, can be modified
• Joins: Manager proposes a problem and work with workforce to discuss solutions
• Delegates: Manager outlines the problems, teams discusses and makes decisions
• Abdicates: The team define and solve problem