Management Styles Flashcards
Features of autocratic
• Centralized control and authority
• Managers have a desire to be in control
• Great importance on achieving the task
• Policies and procedures enforced
• Centralised decision making
• Little value placed on employee’s contributions
• Centralised downward communication
Effective in a time of crises when immediate complience and rules of procedures
Effective when team managers who do not know each other well and lack skill and knowledge
Advantages of autocratic management
Directions and procedures are clearly defined - little uncertainty
Employees roles and expectations are set out plainly - so management can monitor their performance
Control is centralised at top level - so time is used efficiently and problems are dealt with quickly because there is no discussion or consulting
Define autocratic
Is one where the manager tells staff what decisions have to be made
Disadvantages of autocratic management structure
No employee input is allowed - so ideas not encouraged our shared - employees do not get the chance to develop their skills = don’t feel valued
When no responsibility is given to lower level staff job satisfaction will decrease = impacts staff turnover
The potential for conflict increases as workers are often competing for their approval of managers = which can lead to disagreements and tension
An “us” and “them” mentality may develop because of the lack of employee input
Define a persuasive management style
Is one where the manager attempts to sell decisions made
Advantages of persuasive management style
Managers can gain trust and support through persuasion
Works may approach task more positively be living that their
feelings are being considered in decisions
Instruction and explanations remain clear and constant
There is some acceptance of negative situations (eg altered work hours) when the benefits of management decisions are explained
Disadvantages of persuasive management style
Attitudes and trust remain negative employees fail to give full support to management
Communication is still poor and limited to a top to bottom one way system
Employees remain frustrated because they are denied full participation in the decision making process
Features of persuasive management
Managers make decisions then persuade workers of the benefits of those decisions
• Same as autocratic, except it places some value on employees’ contributions
Appropriate in similar conditions to those surting the autocratic style
Define consultive management
Is one where the manager consults employees before making decisions
Main advantages of consultive management style
Asking for suggestions from employees allow for a greater variety of ideas and should improve the quality of management decisions
Employees begin to have some ownership in the way in which the org is run so they take more interest in it reflected in increased levels of motivation and commitment.
When decisions are discussed and fine tuned before implementation tasks are completed more efficiently and with better results
Main disadvantages of consultive management style
Time taken to consult all the relevant employees can slow the entire process
Some issues to be decided to be decided are simply not suitable for widespread consultation process - however if the process is not consistent with each decision staff may be confused about their role
When a number of ideas are shared some are bound to be ignored
In the final decision - this may cause conflict or resentment
When is consultive management style most effective?
When a new operating procedure is to be introduced and some organisational change implemented
Provides employees some opportunity to have input
Define participative management
Is one where the management unites the staff to make decisions together
Advantages of participative management style
Communication is 2 way process
Employee relations are positive less likely hood of industrial disputes
Employees are likely to accept management decisions
Motivation and job satisfaction and optimal as employees feel they have played an important role in allocating takes and implementing actions to meet objectives
Employees have greater opportunity to Aquire new skills
There is a high level of trust often resulting in improved employee performance
Disadvantages of participative management style
Reaching decisions introducing tasks can be time consuming when differing views have to be considered
May decrease the quality of decisions as compromises are made rather than decisive clear directions
The role of management and and the control of the manger may be weakened and undermined with employees given too much power
Internal conflicts can arise with so many views and opinions being shared - more involvement may bring about disagreement
Importance on organisational structure is not focused potentially leading to a collapse in managemet
Not all employees want to contribute
