Management Skills (Leadership And Motivation) Unit 3 Flashcards
Define Leadership
The skill of positively influencing how others behave so they contribute voluntarily to achieving goals
Outline Autocratic Leadership Style
Don’t share authority with subordinates and make most decisions
Have little trust in the ability of others
Don’t delegate
Use intimidation, fear and punishment
Outline Advantages of Autocratic Leadership
Very effective in routine situations when there’s little scope for creativity and like it that way e.g working of a production line
Quick decisions are made, when opportunity arises, an immediate decision is needed
Outline Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership Style
Demotivation as not given opportunity to give views, feel unfulfilled
Over reliance on management as staff not involved in decision making best outcome doesn’t always follow
Outline Democratic Style of Leadership
Leaders willing to delegate power and responsibility to staff and make decisions with agreement from majority
They trust staff ability
Are ready to delegate
Outline Advantages of Democratic Leaders
Better decisions are made as managers consult widely and listen to others managers make more informed decisions
Improved motivation as workers feel valued and are more likely to be motivated
Improved industrial relations, in a culture of consultation mistrust of managers falls
Outline the disadvantages of Democratic leadership style
Slower decision making as consulting others takes time and causes delays, the firm may miss out on an opportunity
Poor decisions can be made in an attempt to please everyone
Outline Laissez Faire style of leadership
Involves giving staff goals and objectives and then stepping back to let the workers get on with the job whatever way they see best
They have trust in staff
Are rarely involved
Allow workers to use initiative
Outline advantages of Laissez Faire
High levels of intrapeneurship as staff must think for themselves
Improved motivation as greater worker participation leads to increased motivation
Decision making more informed as workers nearer the customer are making them
Outline disadvantages of Laissez Faire
Management control must be put in place to ensure employees stick to overall objectives
Not suitable for all staff as staff not used to making decisions will struggle
Describe a contingency approach to leadership
This is when leadership style changes to match the appropriate situation e.g sometimes a manager may be autocratic, democratic or laissez faire, depending on the situation.
This is influenced by character of subordinates, personality of manager and the nature of the task
Define Motivation
What makes people do things
Name the 5 steps in Maslows Hierarchy of needs and outline them
- Physiological: Basic needs to keep someone alive e.g food, water and shelter
- Safety and Security: A desire for stability and consistency in our lives e.g job security
- Love/Belonging: This is about love and belonging and a need to fit in e.g teamwork
- Esteem: The human desire for recognition and status e.g staff need to feel important
- Self Actualisation: Striving to fulfil your full potential e.g Using all of your experience and skills
Outline how a manager can help an employee achieve each level in Maslow’s Hierarchy
Physiological: Pay a fair wage
Safety and Security: Offer a contract of employment to make the person permanent
Love/Belonging: Include employee in teams or task groups
Esteem: Offer promotion and rewards for a job well done
Self Actualisation: Give the employee challenging work so they can use all of their skills experience and education
What is the key for managers using Maslow’s Hierarchy
Identifying what stage an employee is at and recognising money may not always motivate people all the time
Outline Theory X managers
They believe most workers are lazy, that they dislike work, are resistant to change and are untrustworthy.
They are authoritarian; close control of staff (controller)
Rely on fear and intimidation as motivation
Employees given little authority
Believe money is important to employees
Outline Theory Y managers
They believe workers can enjoy work, can be trusted and can be flexible
Democratic style manager
Staff participate in decisions and take responsibility
Staff are trustworthy and empowered
Facilitator manager
What is the overall summary of McGregor’s Theory
Theory X managers are likely to create a climate of blame and hostility in the business which leads to poor productivity and motivation
While theory Y is a more modern idea which recognises the value of staff and seeks to nurture peoples desires for hard work and self fulfilment
Define delegation
Giving the employee the responsibility for certain tasks and the authority to make decisions about them.
Name the steps for effective delegation
Decide task to delegate Decide who gets task Know capabilities of staff Provide resources Delegate Get Feedback
Name the barriers to delegation
Manager is disorganised Manager is insecure Manager is still accountable Possible loss of power Employees ability Bad communication
