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What is Management style? | 4 Basic Management styles and their Advantages and Disadvantages, pdf

Before reading What is Management style, you must know What is the term management? well, Management may be defined as the art of work done through people, with the satisfaction of the employer, employees, and the public. 

To do this, it is necessary to guide, direct, control human effort towards the fulfillment of the goal of the enterprise.

What is Management Style?

Management style is a specific way manager go about executing their goals. Management style regards the way that a manager plans, handles, makes decisions, designates, and manages their staff.

It can vary widely depending on the company or organization, level of management, industry, region, culture and the person himself. An ideal manager is someone who can align their management style in response to various factors while keeping their focus on successfully achieving goals.

Management styles are the principles that underline the process, abilities, and techniques that managers use in handling conditions and expressing leadership within a company or organization.

Management styles

Factors Affecting Management Styles

Management styles are affected by two factors: Internal factors and external factors.

Internal Factors

Internal factors of management style include the corporate and organizational culture of the company, as well as priorities, policies, employee management and skill levels of the staff.

External Factors

External factors of management style include customers, suppliers, competitors, economy and employment management. These are some factors that are outside of the organization but will have an impact on both employees and managers.

4 Basic Management styles

1. Visionary Management Style:

In this management style, managers inspire their staff by explaining their goals and the reason behind them. They convince their team to work towards executing their vision.

In other words, the visionary leader is the person who provides a perfect roadmap for the organization or company, and the employees are the ones who follow this map as a guide to pave the path forward.

Characteristics Needed for Visionary Management Style :

  1. High Emotional intelligence.
  2. Skills in long-term thinking and making strategies.
  3. Being open-minded to give feedback about something.
  4. Flexibility when face difficulties.
  5. Ability to inspire, motivate and mobilize groups.

Advantages of Visionary Management Style :

Engagement will increase because the staffs believe in what they are creating and are driven to accomplish tasks to the best of their ability. In this style, turnover will be decreased, motivation will be higher and employees will be more satisfied.

Disadvantages of Visionary Management Style :

Not all managers can be inspiring. It fully depends on the person, job, industry and the product. This style cannot be faked. Employees must be inspired truly or they will not perform well.

2. Democratic Management Style:

In this style, managers support employees to give their opinion during the decision-making process, but ultimately responsible for the final decision.

Unlike the top-down management style, where only the leadership team can make decisions, the democratic management style encourages participation from the employees and is relatively objective.

Characteristics Needed for Democratic Management Style :

  1. A sense of judgement.
  2. First-class communication skills.
  3. Ability to make sense of perspectives and opinions.
  4. Decision-making skills.
  5. Open-minded nature.

Advantages of Democratic Style of Management:

The Democratic Management Style promotes a strong bond between management and staff which builds reliance within teams. Management grows along with the team, as they learn from the various ideas, opinions and experiences. Innovation will be increased.

Disadvantages Democratic Style of Management :

The process of consulting with staffs can be time-intensive. If a manager is not an expert in time management, they can easily be demoted. If there is an appearance of favouritism, employees may become acrimonious and jealous of the manager. This process is also slow and risks sufficiently.

3. Coaching Management Style:

In this Coaching Management Style, managers see themselves as the coach and their employees are considered as valued members of their team.

This management style puts importance on the personal and professional growth of the employees. Managers act like mentors rather than a boss. This means they’re willing to serve as an advocate, always available to share advice and guidance to their employees.

This style creates interest in employees.

Characteristics Needed for Coaching Management Style:

  1. Need problem-solving skills.
  2. Desire to help employees personally and professionally.
  3. Ability to connect with others.
  4. Ability to build trust.
  5. Ability to build meaningful relationships.
  6. Strong feedback skills.

Advantages of Coaching Management Style :

Employees feel valued, and it creates an interest in their field. Employees will be more engaging and energetic. Managers build a strong bond with their employees who will give their best effort for their coach.

Disadvantages Coaching Management Style:

Too much focus on long-term development can create a bad impact on short-term projects without proper guidance. It can create a toxic environment for some employees and managers.

4. Laissez-faire Management style:

Laissez-faire management style includes no interference from management. Employees are encouraged to participate in the decision-making and problem-solving process. Which creates a friendly work environment for the employees. Employees will appreciate having the reliance, trust, space and autonomy to work in the ways that will maximize their output.

Managers should monitor their team’s performance and also be ready to involve themselves whenever their employees lose focus.

Characteristics Needed for Laissez-faire style of Management:

  1. Ability to be handed off but available when needed.
  2. Ability to trust in your members.
  3. Ability to appreciate your employees’ decision and problem-solving ability.
  4. Should have conflict management skills.

Advantages of Laissez-faire Management style:

Problem-solving and teamwork are strengthened in this style. Staffs are given space so that they feel free to work and ready to give their best. Job satisfaction will increase. There will be more innovation in the workplace.

Disadvantages Laissez-faire Management style:

Productivity may suffer due to the absence of the leader. This style needs a lot of experienced employees. Teams can experience a lack of focus, uniformity and direction. Some staff may feel a lot of pressure on them. Risk is also higher.

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Sukanta Maiti

I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession, Blogger, and Youtuber by passion. I have been in the engineering field since 2014. I am passionate about sharing all my knowledge about engineering, management, and economics to my readers.

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