As a manager/business owner, the message you send to employees determines
the manner in which you and the company are perceived and the extent to which
tasks are completed. This being the case, take caution when selecting the
management style that will be used to direct operations and manage employees.
Your chosen style also has an effect on the resulting managerial climate,
which is basically your attitude and approach to working with others in the
company. Let's look at some of the different styles of management, and their
effectiveness with respect to staff and production.
THE CONTROLLING STYLE
The Controlling Style, often referred to as the Authoritarian Style
of Management, is utilized to enforce rules, instill fear, meet deadlines
and demand results from employees. The main interests of a controlling
manager are production and the bottom line. He has little or no concern
for employees, other than their usefulness to obtain goals. The authoritarian
style of management is used very effectively by the military, which dictates
commands, won't take "no" for an answer, doesn't sympathize with its soldiers,
and has no tolerance for insubordination. Although business at times, has
been equated to a battle ground, it is not the military. Most people are
no longer willing to have orders dictated to them. Use of this style will
generally result is short term cooperation. Employees need to be treated
with dignity and respect, if you want to generate a loyal, productive staff.
THE SUPPORTING STYLE
A manager using this style of leadership will be an understanding leader.
He will listen to employee concerns and help them deal with their problems,
whenever possible. For example, instead of reprimanding an employee whose
productivity level is down, a supportive manager would be sympathetic to
the employee's problem and offer assistance. Often, this type of manager
is afraid to be firm, because it may jeopardize his relationship with employees.
The down side to this approach is that production levels generally suffer,
and it encourages employees to take advantage of their manager. Employees,
however, have to be able to rely on their manager for guidance and direction,
if they are to carry out assignments efficiently.
A good management style involves a balanced combination of control,
to meet production goals, and support, to satisfy the needs of employees.
It also involves giving employees the freedom do their jobs; providing
supervision and direction when needed. The right combination, allows the
members of your company to achieve greater independence and a sense of
pride in their work. This combination, which allows for long term success,
can be found in the leadership style of management.
THE LEADERSHIP STYLE
During the restructuring of organizations, middle management is either
being eliminated or replaced. Many companies are implementing a team oriented
style of management, which places more authority and responsibility in
the hands of the employees. Managers are transforming into leaders, enabling
them to properly guide these emerging teams. They realize the importance
of maintaining a balance between production and staff relations. A good
leader works with employees, to remain both visible and accessible. A manager
who assumes the role of leader tries to succeed by inspiring employees
to maximize their full potential to achieve company objectives. The leader
provides the vision and positive outlook, while encouraging employees to
help develop the means for realizing that vision. Good leaders achieve
goals by allowing employees at all levels to participate in the vision
reaching process. Inviting employees to participate in this process, not
only increases efficiency in achieving corporate goals, but it improves
company moral at the same time. Generally employees support decisions and
work harder to achieve goals if they have played an active role in their
creation.
Modifications can be made to the leadership style to accommodate one
of the four stages in an employee's development. A leader will choose one
of the following approaches, based upon the comprehension and ability level
of the employees.
1. Experienced employees who require only a delegation
style of leadership
These employees have the ability and experience to perform their job
requirements adequately, with little or no supervision. As a leader, you
need only delegate the functions of performing the job, then allow the
employee the independence to function properly. For example, a carpenter
with 10 years experience should be able to carry out tasks with maximum
efficiency, provided he is still motivated by the job, is operating at
full potential, and the processes do not change regularly. In this case,
you would simply delegate a task, such as shingling a roof, and the carpenter
is able to work with little or no supervision to complete the job.
2. Employees who have the ability to complete the task
but still need leadership support
In contrast to delegation, these employees have demonstrated the ability
to complete required tasks, but lack the confidence to perform sufficiently,
100% of the time. It is important for leaders to support the initiatives
of these employees until they gain the confidence to work adequately with
little supervision. A carpenter's apprentice has both the training and
ability to shingle a roof, but may have little confidence due to his lack
of experience. The seasoned carpenter can boost the apprentice's confidence
by making positive comments about his workmanship, and providing helpful
hints occasionally.
3. Employees who are still learning, need to be coached
by a leader
These employees are in the learning stages of their job. Even though
they have been taught how to perform their tasks, they still need support
to carry out and complete required tasks. At this point, a good leader
will repeat the process with them, until each employee feels confident
performing with little assistance. The leader will coach as needed. For
instance, a laborer may know how to shingle a flat roof, but will need
guidance to shingle the peaks and valleys. The supervisor should review
the methods used to do the peaks and valleys, so that the laborer is sure
of what needs to be done.
4. New employees who need to be directed by a leader
New employees will require training, direction and full leadership.
The leader must thoroughly explain each task, along with the process needed
to complete each required task. To ensure your employees have a full understanding
of their tasks, you should take them through the entire learning process
several times. Not only do carpentry students need to be taught how to
shingle a roof, they must be trained to safely use the equipment. The students
will have a better chance of learning, if the teacher repeats the process
several times with them, both in class and at the work site.
Management by walking around
Management by walking around is an approach which can be incorporated
into your leadership style. Being visible to the members of the company
can be effective in shaping how the company is viewed. Many companies have
successfully used this approach to address employee ideas and concerns,
while instilling unity among its members. For instance, Sam Walton, of
the famous Wal-mart chain, frequently walked around his department stores.
He would speak to his employees, or in his words "his associates", to seek
out their opinions. This practice seemed to work well in developing Wal-Mart's
weak areas.
Using this approach, allows the manager/entrepreneur to get a better feel for how the employees are responding to corporate strategies and can therefore change them accordingly. As a manager, if you spend too much time in your office, you may become disassociated from your company and employees, and/or lose sight of improvements that could be initiated to the advantage of the company.
The leadership style of management can have many positive effects on your employees and your company. These may include; increased confidence levels, volunteering to accept more responsibility, improved standards, innovative problem solving, competitive new products, and a positive work atmosphere, which all contribute to profit maximization.
The management style or combination
of styles you choose can have a great impact on your business. The appropriate
choice should compliment your structure, adding strength to your organization.