All in all there are 6 managerial styles. Now what I am
not saying is that there are any right or wrong answers here.
You as a leader need to adopt the right style to fit the
situation and the person. But what I am saying is that
some styles are better suited to certain situations than others.
And also, if you keep to the same style no matter what the
situation this can have adverse affects from you staff and
performance.
So, want to know what the 6 managerial styles are and what
they mean?
Here goes!
** THE COERCIVE MANAGEMENT STYLE **
Manager who uses this is intent on obtaining immediate
compliance from employees. Conversation is one way.
Very directive. He/she tightly controls situations and
emphasizes negative rather than positive feedback.
The manager wants employees to do their work exactly
as the manager wants it.
** HOMEWORK **
Do you use this style?
What situations do you think it would be appropriate to use this style?
What situations do you think it would not be appropriate to use this style?
** THE AUTHORITATIVE MANAGEMENT STYLE **
The manager's goal here is to provide vision and focused
leadership. Long term thinking and a clearly stated direction.
Decisions are made by the manager but some employee input is
sought to reality test decisions. This style also relies on the
skillful use of influence to gain employee buy-in to decisions.
A firm but fair approach.
** HOMEWORK **
Do you use this style?
What situations do you think it would be appropriate to use this style?
What situations do you think it would not be appropriate to use this style?
** THE AFFILIATIVE MANAGEMENT STYLE **
Manager uses this to promote harmony, cooperation, and good
feelings among employees.
Affiliative actions include accommodating family needs that
conflict with work goals, quickly smoothing tensions between
employees, or promoting social activities within the team.
The manager pursues being liked as a way to motivate people.
He/she puts people first and tasks second.
** HOMEWORK **
Do you use this style?
What situations do you think it would be appropriate to use this style?
What situations do you think it would not be appropriate to use this
style?
** THE DEMOCRATIC MANAGEMENT STYLE **
Manager focuses on building group consensus and commitment
through group management of the decision-making process.
Requires a hands-off style and a heavy emphasis on team
participation. Employees are trusted to have the skills,
knowledge and drive to come up with decisions to which everyone
is committed.
Manager's role is only to fine-tune and approve the plan.
** HOMEWORK **
Do you use this style?
What situations do you think it would be appropriate to use this style?
What situations do you think it would not be appropriate to use this
style?
** THE PACESETTING MANAGEMENT STYLE **
Manager uses this style to focus on accomplishing a great deal
of top quality work him-or herself. Employees are thought
capable of achieving their own goals with little supervision.
When performance is not up to standard, the manager will do it
him- or herself.
Emphasis on "Doing it myself"
** HOMEWORK **
Do you use this style?
What situations do you think it would be appropriate to use this style?
What situations do you think it would not be appropriate to use this
style?
** THE COACHING MANAGEMENT STYLE **
Directed towards professional growth of employees.
Manager focuses on helping employees identify their strengths
and weaknesses, improvement areas and set development plans that
foster career goals.
Manager creates an environment that supports honest self-
assessment and treats mistakes as learning opportunities in the
development process.
** HOMEWORK **
Do you use this style?
What situations do you think it would be appropriate to use this style?
What situations do you think it would not be appropriate to use this
style?
You will always have a dominant style that you use more than
any other. It's always really interesting to see the mix of how
often you use the other styles as well.
Think about what styles you use the most often.
Are they effective?
Are you a one dimensional leader that uses the same
style over and over again?
What could you do to develop you skills in the other managerial
styles?
I'll leave them with you!
Sean McPheat is the Managing Director of MTD Training, a leading UK management training company. Sean is regarded as one of the leading authorities in leadership development has been featured on CNN, ITV, BBC and Arena magazine to name but a few.