MManagement: Skills

Question 1

Define Management:

Answer 1

Management is the process of how plans are made and resources are organised to achieve objectives. Management involves getting people to work together for a common organisational goal using the skills of : leading, motivating and communicating

Question 2

Define leading

Answer 2

A management skill that encourages people to work towards a specific goal

Question 3

Leading: Characteristics (4)

Answer 3

Clear communication to all staff about their goals
Delegate tasks to staff
Set examples for employees
Find ways to motivate employees

Question 4

Leadership styles:

Answer 4

1. Autocratic
2. Democratic
3. Laissez Faire

Question 5

Features of Autocratic:

Answer 5

Authority: complete power and control
Decision making: is made quickly
Trust: do not trust employees
Motivate employees with threats and punishment

Question 6

Advantages:

Answer 6

No consulting= quick decision making
Ordering staff= quick task completion
Pressure from management supervision = increased productivity

Question 7

Disadvantages

Answer 7

High absenteeism = decrease in staff motivation
No delegation = high stress levels
Industrial action

Question 8

Features of Democratic :

Answer 8

Authority -delegated tasks to employees but ultimate responsibility lies with management
Decision making is slower
Trust employees to make decisions on behalf of the business
Motivation using input and delegated tasks

Question 9

Managers: Characteristics (5)

Answer 9

1. Problem solving
2. Flexibility
3. Charisma
4. Decisive
5. Hardworking

Question 10

Democratic: Advantages

Answer 10

Increased productivity because employees are more willing to put their ideas forward

Delegation and empowerment provides employees with the skills needed for promotion

Employees are motivated because they feel valued

Question 11

Democratic : Disadvantages

Answer 11

Managers consulting employees before making decisions = slow decision making

Employees can become frustrated if they feel like their input isn’t valued

Some managers may resent that employee empowerment reduces their control

Question 12

Laissez-Faire : Features

Answer 12

Authority: hands off approach
Decision making is left to the employees , management only steps in for important decisions
Trust: employees are highly qualified and trusted
Motivation: employees feel empowered .

Question 13

LF: Advantages

Answer 13

Intrapreneurship
Improved Skills & Knowledge
Employees are more motivated

Question 14

LF: disadvantages

Answer 14

Reduced productivity if employees take advantage of the reduced supervision from management

Management may blame employees for any mistakes made

Some employees may make poor decisions that effect the business’s reputation

Question 15

Define Delegation

Answer 15

Delegation involves assigning tasks to another person.

It’s very important that the manager clearly communicates the assigned task to avoid confusion and choose staff to delegate tasks based off merit and their appropriate skills.

Question 16

Requirements for Delegation

Answer 16

Open Communication
Employee skills and experience
Manegrial Control- ultimate responsibility for a delegated task lies with management, so managers must implement a system that identifies and fixes errors

Question 17

Delegation advantages:

Answer 17

Lessens workload on managers
Increased employee motivation and productivity
Helps in developing skills