Management Styles and Skills 3

Question 1

Autocratic

Answer 1

• Managers have full control/authority
• Communication is downwards (management makes decisions and passes them on below, worker participation is non-existent)
• Tasked-focused
Advantages: decision-making is quick, high regard for production, employees are monitored
Disadvantages: discourages teamwork, no open communication, low job satisfaction, may result in passive resistance from employees

Question 2

Persuasive

Answer 2

• Manager interprets situation and urges employees to follow/obey
• Communication is downwards (management makes decisions and passes them on below, places some value on the importance of employees)
• Task-focused
Advantages: decision making is quick, employees have a clear idea about what they have to achieve
Disadvantages: employees have no input in decision making, no job satisfaction

Question 3

Consultative

Answer 3

• Manager gets the opinions of employees, but ultimate decision is made by the manager
• Authority and control exercised by manager, but more employee based
• Two way-communication, employee contribution
• Reasonable level of employee involvement, decent job satisfaction
Advantages: some employee involvement, increased job satisfaction
Disadvantages: time-consuming, employees may not feel valued if their ideas are not implemented

Question 4

Participative

Answer 4

• Management and employees share in decision-making, manager is a more like a coach
• Two way-communication
• People-focused
Advantages: employees are motivated and are part of the decision making process, employee development and relations
Disadvantages: potential for disputes, time consuming

Question 5

Laissez-Faire

Answer 5

• Little direction given to employees, places trust in them
• Majority of decision-making and running of business done by employees
• Job satisfaction
• People-focused
Advantages: employee independence, strong motivation, job satisfaction, open communication
Disadvantages: employees may lose their sense of direction, or are not suited to this management style (need structure and routine)

Question 6

Management skills (CDDLIP)

Answer 6

Communication- exchange of information between people that produces the required response
Delegation- passing of authority down the hierarchy to perform tasks or make decisions
Decision making- taking the best course of action out of a range of alternatives
Leading- guiding employees towards achieving goals of the business
Interpersonal- being empathetic, respectful of others
Planning- decision making process for the future