Management Styles/Skills

Covers Management Styles/Skills, key features, definitions, advantages and disadvantages

Autocratic management

• One-way, top down communication

• Centralised decision making

Persuasive management

• One way communication

• Centralised decision making

• Management seeks to convince employees of their decision

Consultative management

• Two-way communication

• Centralised decision making

• Management seeks input from employees

• Manager still makes the final decision

Participative management

• Two-way communication

• Decentralised decision making

• Employees and managers work as a team to make decisions

Laissez-Faire management

• Two-way communication

• Decentralised decision making

• Managers provide employees with the responsibility to make their own decisions

Advantages of Autocratic Management

• Saves time as the manager doesn’t need to consult employees about their decisions

• Suitable for high risk/pressure situations as communication is direct and doesn’t rely on employee input

Disadvantages of Autocratic Management

• Reduced employee moral, as input is not valued

• Doesn’t make use of valuable employee insight

Advantages of Persuasive Management

• Saves time, as the manager has the final say

• Employees are more likely to accept decisions if persuaded

Disadvantages of Persuasive Management

• Employees may have reduce moral as they feel their input is not valued

• Does not make use of valuable employee insights

Advantages of Consultative Management

• More informed decision making

• Employees likely to feel more valued

Disadvantages of Consultative Management

• Can be more time consuming

• If employees are left out of the final decision, may feel their input has been ignored/is not valid

Advantages of Participative Management

* Shared decision making leads to employees feeling more valued
* Decision making will be better informed

Disadvantages of Participative Management

• Time consuming

• Not suitable for all environments, like high risk/pressure situations

Advantages of Laissez-Faire Management

• Employees feel more valued due to the level of responsibility

• Encourages teamwork between employees

Disadvantages of Laissez-Faire Management

• Employees may lack skills and knowledge to make suitable decisions

• Lack of guidance from management can negatively impact morale of staff

Communication Skills

* The ability of a manager to effectively facilitate exchanges of information between themselves and employees

Importance of Good Communication Skills

• Providing clear/concise instructions

• Setting clear objectives/expectations

• Facilitate dialogue and receive feedback

Delegation Skills

* The transferring of responsibility for a task to someone else

Importance of Good

Delegation Skills

* Allows the allocation of tasks to employees based on their skills, knowledge and experience

Planning Skills

* The setting of goals and utilising of resources to ensure the business will continue to achieve its objectives

Importance of Good

Planning Skills

* Essential to ensuring that Business Objectives are met

Leadership Skills

* Involves motivating employees and leveraging their skills and experiences to achieve a shared objective

Importance of Good

Leadership Skills

* To ensure employees remain motivated to complete objectives
* To ensure their skills and knowledge are effectively used

Decision-Making Skills

* The ability of a manager to take the **most suitable** path of action from a range of options

Importance of Good

Decision-Making Skills

• Hiring the best staff

• Purchasing inventory

• Expanding operations (opening new stores)

Interpersonal Skills

* The ability of a manager to develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff

Importance of Good

Interpersonal Skills

* Ensures staff morale and motivation is high