Styles of Management

Question 1

AUTHORITARIAN

Answer 1

• The manager assumes that he/she knows best.
• Employees/subordinates have very little decision making authority if any at all.
• Employees are not asked for their opinions and they rarely offer suggestions.

Question 2

CONSULTATIVE

Answer 2

• The manager does not assume that he/she knows all the answers.
• The manager seeks information from employees that have good ideas and/or special expertise. The information is then considered in light of the “bigger picture” which the manager has incorporated into future management decisions.
• Wise managers will give credit to workers who have offered ideas
• The manager makes the decisions and accepts the consequences.

Question 3

PARTICIPATORY

Answer 3

• The manager goes beyond the consultative mode and involves employees as much as possible in the decision-making process.
• Assumes that the person doing the job knows more about that job than anyone else.

Question 4

DEMOCRATIC

Answer 4

• The manager allows employees to discuss issues and reach decisions although he will guide and advise.
• If the decision has unfavourable consequences, the manager will probably point out that the decision was made by the group.
• Not a good management practice since there is no accountability.

Question 5

LAISSEZ-FAIRE

Answer 5

• French for “let do.”
• The manager does not interfere with the employees.
• Each worker would make decisions independently.
• This can lead to situations where ‘things just happen’.
• At the extreme it is chaos.