management styles

what are management styles?

the behaviour and attitude of the manager when making decisions, when directing and motivating staff, and when implementing plans to achieve business objectives

define autocratic management style

the manager makes all decisions. one way communication, complete control, centralised decision making, employees are told what to do and when to do it

autocratic advantages and disadvantages

directions and procedures are clearly defined so little uncertainty, employees understand what is expected of them. employees feel undervalued as ideas aren’t encouraged, increased potential for conflict, job satisfaction decreases leading to staff absenteeism and turnover

define persuasive management

managers attempt to sell the decisions they make through convincing and persuasion. one way communication, complete control, centralised decision making, builds trust from employees

persuasive management advantages and disadvantages

managers can gain some trust through persuasion, instructions and explanations remain clear and constant, more positive employees. employees are frustrated due to being denied full participation, more time consuming than autocratic, decreased quality of decisions with no employee input

define consultative management

manager consults employees before making decisions. two way communication, less control, centralised decision making, employees give opinions

consultative advantages and disadvantages

improved quality of decisions as allows for greater variety of ideas to be shared, employees feel valued and more motivated. time consuming, can cause conflict through ideas being ignored or overlooked

define participative management

manager unites with employees to make decisions together. two way communication, low control, decentralised decision making, employees actively partake in decision making

participative advantages and disadvantages

motivation and job satisfaction are optimal, high level of trust, positive relationships, employees have greater opportunity to acquire more skills. internal conflict with so many opinions, power imbalance, time consuming

define laissez faire

employees assume total responsibility for and control of workplace operations. minimal communication from manager, no control, decentralised decision making, employees have control

laissez faire advantages and disadvantages

employees feel a sense of ownership, high quality decisions, increased employee morale. employees may misuse resources, conflicts can arise, time consuming decision making