Manangers, leadership and decision making Flashcards
1
Q
What is the difference between a manager and a leader?
A
- A manager is someone who tells you to do something
- A leader is someone who inspires you to do something
2
Q
What are the key features of a leader?
A
- Looks to the future
- Drives change and innovation
-They have a vision - They’re inspiring and motivating
3
Q
What are the key features of a manager?
A
- Focuses on the present
- They maintain the status quo (normal)
- Implement decisions of others
- Organise company resources
4
Q
What is meant by delegation?
A
- When someone assigns authority to others
- Gives them the responsibility for a particular function, task or decision
5
Q
What is meant by consultation?
A
- Taking into account the views of employees lower down the heirarchy (they don’t necessarily have to use ideas and agree with their opinions)
6
Q
What are the 4 key roles of a manager?
A
- Setting objectives (targets to achieve)
- Analyse business performance
- Leading (communicating objectives and directing subordinates to achieve goals)
- Making decision (allocating resources and handling day to day business activity)
7
Q
What internal factors may impact on the style of leadership chosen?
A
- The experience and expertise of the work force
- The skills required for the work to be done
- Personality traits of the leader
- How much power is given to the leader
- The time frame for the work to be done
8
Q
What external factors may impact on the style of leadership chosen?
A
- Political and legal environment
- Economic environment
- Social environment
- Technological environment
- The changing nature of the environment (market)
9
Q
What are some qualities of a good leader?
A
- Adaptable to different situations
- Assertive
- Decisive
- Dependable
- Dominant
- Energetic
- Persistent
- Self-confident
- Handles stress well
- Willing to take responsibility
10
Q
What is contingency/situational leadership?
A
- They change the way they lead depending what is going on around them (depends on a particular situation)
- They must have situational awareness
11
Q
When are leaders most important?
A
- During a crisis
- When the business is changing (mergers, reconstructing, new directions etc…)
- When industry is changing
- When performace is declining
- When difficult decisions must be made
12
Q
What are the 4 leadership styles?
A
- Authoritarian
- Democratic
- Paternalistic
- Laissez-faire
13
Q
What is paternalistic leadership?
A
- A managerial approach that involves a dominant authority figure who acts as a patriarch or matriarch
- They treat employees as though they are members of a large, extended family
- The leader expects loyalty and trust as well as obedience from employees
14
Q
When is paternalistic leadership suitable?
A
- In a work environment when personal and social wellbeing is important
15
Q
What are the advantages of paternalistic leadership?
A
- Employees independence
- Enhanced skills from workers
- The employees will likely respect their leader
- Greater loyalty from employees
- Helps boost creativity and innovation
16
Q
What are the disadvantages of paternalistic leadership?
A
- Managers could be bias towards certain employees (different standards)
- Some employees may feel less valued than others and this could be demotivating
- Employees may become too dependent on their leader
17
Q
How can a paternalistic leadership style be promoted in a workplace?
A
- Good organisational skills
- Be compassionate
- Be decisive
- Provide the correct resources
- Empower employees
- Equip employees
18
Q
What is authoritarian leadership?
A
- A managerial approach in which leaders are very hands-on and decisions are usually made by them alone (they don’t consult anyone else)
- This means there is less freedom, creativity and innovation
19
Q
When is authoritarian leadership suitable?
A
- For leaders who struggle with other leadership styles
- Usually used by young and insecure people who are affraid of losing power
- Also during a crisis when decisions need to be made quickly
20
Q
What are the advantages of authoritarian leadership?
A
- It provides clarity and efficiency especially in smaller organisations
- Helpful to respond to external changes quickly
- Creates a simple workplace
- Allows a leader to carry out visions
- Helps enhance productivity
- Communication flows down the heirarchy
21
Q
What are the disadvantages of authoritarian leadership?
A
- Can lead to abuse of power and corruption within the workplace
- Could result in a toxic work environment
- May result in demotivated employees
- Employees can’t contibute their ideas
- Can create unnecessary stress and pressure for the CEO (the control could be overwhelming)
- Absenteeism may be high
22
Q
How can an authoritarian style of leadership be promoted?
A
- Have strict control in the workplace
- Have high levels of delegation
- Encourage communication down the heirarchy
- Have a vision-oriented environment
- Set out clear goals and objectives
- Focus on main goals to be achieved
23
Q
What is laissez-faire leadership?
A
- A managerial approach in which leaders are hands-off and allow members of the workforce to help in decision making
- They leader is layed back and employees have more freedom to express their creativity
24
Q
When is laissez-faire leadership suitable?
A
- For a work environment where the leader feels as though the employees can do their job well and be independent in doing so
25
Q
What are the advantages of laissez-faire leadership?
A
- Encourages personal growth and motivation amongst employees
- Helps employees to learn and develop new skills
- Encourages innovation
- Employees can achieve personal goals
26
Q
What are the disadvantages of laissez-faire leadership?
A
- It can create confusion about where the power lies
- Too much independence can lead to isolation and may affect employees ability to work in a team
- Lack of accountability from the leader (they may not accept any responsibility)
27
Q
How can a laissez-faire leadership style be promoted?
A
- Hire experienced employees
- Be a relaxed leader
- Give employees space to let their creativity flow
28
Q
What is democratic leadership?
A
- A managerial approach where the leader encourages the workforce to participate in the decision-making process
- Leaders discuss issues with workers, they delegate responsibilities and listen to employees advice
- They have to be good at communicating
29
Q
When is democratic leadership suitable?
A
- When leaders have a lot of confidence in their workforce
30
Q
What are the advantages of democratic leadership?
A
- Allows the input of employees who have relevant skills and knowledge
- Helps creativity and innovation
- Can improve employee morale
- Helps with a productive workforce
- Results in better quality decision making
- Encourages teamwork
- Higher staff retention
31
Q
What are the disadvantages of democratic leadership?
A
- Not good for when fast decisions need to be made
- Can be unclear where the power lies
- If failure occurs it is difficult to know where to place the blame
32
Q
How can a democratic leadership style be promoted?
A
- Encourage teamwork and creativity
- Welcome new ideas
- Encourage discussion
- Employ people with relevant skills
33
Q
What is the Tannenbaum Schmidt continuum?
A
- A leadership model based on a spectrum between two extremes of manager centred and subordinate centred approaches
- It recognises that leaders are unlikely to be at either extreme but somewhere along the spectrum
34
Q
What is a subordinate?
A
- Someone of a lower rank within an organisation
- They are under the authority of a superior
35
Q
What is meant by delegation?
A
- Giving an employee the authority/permission to carry out a certain task or role
- However the responsibility still lies with the manager or leader, so must trust their employee to do what is asked of them correctly
36
Q
Describe number 1 on the Tannenbaum Schmidt continuum
A
- The manager/leader tells their employees what to do
- The manager makes and announces decisions
-The manager uses their authority - There is little freedom for subordinates
- The leader takes an authoritarian style of leadership
37
Q
Describe number 2 on the Tannenbaum Schmidt continuum
A
- The manager/leader tells their employees what to do
- They try to sell their decisions to employees and win them over but they still have full control
-The manager uses their authority
-There is little freedom for subordinates - The leader takes a paternalistic style of leadership
38
Q
Describe number 3 on the Tannenbaum Schmidt continuum
A
- The manager consults with their employees
- The manager presents decisions with ideas and invites questions
- The manager still holds a lot of authority
- The subordinates have some freedom and can ask questions about decision making
- The final decision lies with the leader/manager
- The leader takes a paternalistic stlye of leadership
39
Q
Describe number 4 on the Tannenbaum Schmidt continuum
A
- The manager consults with their employees
- The manager suggests provisional decisions but invites discussions
- Subordinates have some freedom
- Managers have moderate authority
40
Q
A
