Functions Of Management And Leadership

Question 1

Features of autocratic leadership

Answer 1

Full control of decision making
Uses power from position to get others to carry out work
Employees have little or no input
Motivation through rewards (ie piece rate payment)

Question 2

Benefits of autocratic leadership

Answer 2

Actions can happen quickly which is good in high demand and emergencies
Improves productivity due to quick decision making
Lower skilled staff do not have pressure to make decisions

Question 3

Limitations of autocratic leadership

Answer 3

Demotivating for staff that are higher skilled because they do not feel valued or involved
Quality of decisions might be poorer

Question 4

Features of paternalistic leadership

Answer 4

A softer form of autocratic leadership - leader decides what is best for employees and addresses their needs
Little delegation
Typical paternalistic leader explains the specific reason as to why he/she has taken certain actions

Question 5

Features of democratic leadership

Answer 5

Focus of power is more with the group as a whole
Leadership functions are shared within the group
Employees have greater involvement in decision making
Emphasis on delegation and consultation, although leader has the final say

Question 6

Benefits of democratic leadership

Answer 6

Employees know the business well so are better able to make informed decisions
Can help motivate employees, leading to more productivity and higher retention
Better quality decisions

Question 7

Limitations of democratic leadership

Answer 7

Slows down decision making - not good in emergencies
May be conflict in decision making
Less experienced staff may not feel in a position to make decisions and may want to be told what to do

Question 8

Features of laissez-faire leadership

Answer 8

Gives employees little direction
Responsibility for decision making lies with individuals and the group
Leaders get employees to choose how to complete objectives, make decisions and resolve problems on their own

Question 9

Benefits of laissez-faire leadership

Answer 9

Employees can feel motivated
Decisions can be made quickly

Question 10

Limitation of laissez-faire leadership

Answer 10

Employees might not be motivated which can result in lower productivity and more waste

Question 11

Trait leadership type

Answer 11

Habitual patterns of behaviour and thought
(Carlyle and Galton, McGregor)

Question 12

Behavioural leadership type

Answer 12

Focuses heavily on the actions of the leader
(Blake and Mouton)

Question 13

Contingency leadership type

Answer 13

Supposes a leader’s effectiveness is dependent on whether their leadership style suits a particular situation
(Lewin, Tannenbaum and Schmidt)

Question 14

Functional leadership type

Answer 14

A leadership style that leads with the belief that a team working together will achieve better results than people working individually
(Adair)

Question 15

Characteristics of a manager

Answer 15

Obeyed by subordinates
Minimises risk
Prefers the status quo
‘Steady state’
Sets an example
Tells employees to follow procedure
Not very outgoing
Task focused

Question 16

Characteristics of a leader

Answer 16

Followed by subordinates
Risk-taker
Embraces change
Creative
Inspires other to behave in a certain way
Encourages new ways of thinking
Charismatic
People focused - soft skills, persuasive

Question 17

Management

Answer 17

The process of co-ordinating the activities of a business in order to achieve defined objectives

Question 18

Definition of the functions of management

Answer 18

The set of core activities which define the role of managers in a business environment

Question 19

What are the four functions of management?

Answer 19

Planning
Organising
Directing
Controlling

Question 20

Planning (functions of management)

Answer 20

Involves an individual going through a process to decide what they want to achieve (making decisions)

Question 21

Organising (functions of management)

Answer 21

Involves arrangement (ie taking action)

Question 22

Directing (functions of management)

Answer 22

Involves giving duties to employees

Question 23

Controlling (functions of management)

Answer 23

The way that a manager ensures that work is done

Question 24

What are the two pairs of complementary functions of the four functions of management?

Answer 24

Planning and organising
Directing and controlling

Question 25

How might a manager’s success be measured?

Answer 25

Customer service reviews / feedback
Employee retention
Sales levels
Absenteeism levels of employees
Ability to meet deadlines
Staff / line relationships
Reputation
Quality of tasks completed
Meeting objectives
Increased output

Question 26

What constraints (limitations/restrictions) could prevent a manager from being successful?

Answer 26

External issues (eg the pandemic)
Ability and confidence to make decisions
Amount of resources
Structure of the organisation
Budget of the business
Strength of competition
Skills or ability to manage