Understanding Management, Leadership And Decision-making

Question 1

What are the 4 main leadership styles?

Answer 1

1. Autocratic
2. Paternalistic
3. Democratic
4. Laissez-faire

Question 2

Describe the style “autocratic”

Answer 2

Complete control of decisions making and power
Communication tends to be one way and from the top down.
Employees have little to no input
Can be frustrating for employees - no room for their initiative

Question 3

Describe the style “paternalistic”

Answer 3

Employees are consulted but decisions are made at the top.
Leaders try to support employees needs, but still close supervision
Leaders explain their reason for decisions, but delegation is unlikely to be encouraged.

Question 4

Describe the style “democratic”

Answer 4

Encourages participation in decision making
Strong coaching, listening and motivational skills
Teamwork and communication is important and encouraged.
Prepared to make final decisions when agreement can’t be reached.

Question 5

Describe the style “laissez-faire “

Answer 5

Gives employees as much freedom as possible.
Managers communicate goals to employees but allow them to choose how to complete objectives, make own decisions.

Question 6

Describe the role of a manager

Answer 6

The managers role, as a decision maker, must set objectives so that success criteria are available to later establish whether or not a task has been completed successfully

Question 7

What is the difference between a manager and a leader?

Answer 7

A manager tends to focus on controlling resources and optimising process through specific management styles, while a leader tends to use leadership skills and styles to inspire and empower people to work together towards a common goal.

Question 8

Explain the importance of a good manager to a business

Answer 8

Managers can provide good leadership to their team, providing a purpose and direction that the team can trust. They help employees reach their goals and handle daily production and process to the business.

Question 9

Explain mcgregor’s theory X and theory Y

Answer 9

McGregor proposed that there were 2 types of managers, ones who assumed a negative view of their employees, also known as theory X managers, and others who assumed a positive view of their workers, also known as theory y managers.

Question 10

Describe the different stages of the tannenbaum - Schmidt continuum

Answer 10

Tells: managers make decision and tells team
Sells: manager makes decision and sells it to the team
Suggests: manager presents suggestion but invites questions from team
Consults: manager makes decision, consulting team before making final
Joins: manager presents problem, gets team ideas, then makes decision
Delegates: manager defines limits, then asks team for decision
Abdicates: manager allows for full freedom to explore options and make decision