We all understand that there are mainly four leadership styles:
Democratic;
Autocratic;
Laissez-Faire;
Paternalistic.
We also understand that different managers have different approaches towards their workforce: some have a more soft approach and others a more hard one. But what are the factors that determine what management style a manager will use?
According to Douglas McGregor the attitude of managers towards their workers will have the largest impact on how they will manage their workforce:
Notice, though, that the theory does not talk about two types of workers - but about two different attitudes managers have over their workforce!
The theory explains a vicious cycle:
Theory X managers do not assign responsibility or encourage participation from workers which will, in return, lead to demotivation and further lower productivity;
Theory Y managers are more likely to encourage participation and assign responsibilities to workers making their work more enjoyable and therefore increasing productivity.
Discussion - Business in Action 12.2
The question that follows is: what management style and leadership style is the best?
The best management style depends on many aspects (there is no best):
- The level of training and experience of the workforce;
- How capable (or not) the workforce is to take on higher responsibility;
- The amount of time available for consultation and participation;
- The business culture, background of the managers, and their attitudes;
- The nature of the decision to be made: different decisions require different styles.
Relationship with Change Management:
People find change less threatening and more acceptable if they have been involved in some meaningful way in managing it.
Chapter 12 - Management
To-Do-List: Exam-Style Questions (#1 to #14)
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