The concept of management style refers to the habitual pattern of behavior of a manager in relation to his subordinates. Since there is no perfect way to achieve job satisfaction and maximize team productivity, managers use different options.
The choice is made taking into account the current situation in the company, the characteristics of the manager’s character and other factors. The key abilities of an effective boss are the ability to manage a project and employees in general, adapting a management style to the employee’s personality type and the circumstances that arise, an appropriate form of communication with the team, and leadership qualities.
German psychologist Kurt Lewin classifies management styles as follows:
- authoritarian – when the leader does not take into account the opinion of the team, including valuable employees, when making decisions. The method is harsh and often causes demoralization of the team, resulting in staff turnover and constant absenteeism;
- liberal - the team is given complete freedom of action, the boss supports it in every possible way and gives recommendations. The deadlines for completing tasks are set by the team. Used by managers who do not control their affairs, or who seek to increase job satisfaction among the team;
- democratic - joint work of the boss and employees involved in decision making. Creativity is encouraged here, but impeccable leadership skills are required.
Each of the listed models will be discussed in more detail below.
Engineer and psychologist Douglas McGurgor proposed a different classification. He believed that the main management styles are techniques based on theories X and Y.
The first model (X) is adhered to by tough managers, whose word should be law for the team and is not subject to discussion, because:
- a person is lazy by nature and tries to avoid work;
- In order for the team to work successfully, everything needs to be kept under strict control and constantly forced to do something;
- people like to shift responsibility to others and do not like to make important decisions themselves; their boss should do it for them.
Theory Y is based on the basic principles of a democratic management style: the manager delegates authority, takes into account the opinion of the team, and controls only the result.
Here is another position of the head of employees:
- people are active by nature, strive for work, love to work;
- the main motivation of a person is to achieve a goal, he is capable of self-control and self-government;
- people are responsible and capable of making their own decisions.
McGergor's idea was continued in the works of the American social psychologist Rensis Likert, who identified leadership styles:
- exploitative-authoritarian - characterized by rigidity, when the boss motivates the team with threats, he does not trust employees, keeps a great distance from them;
- benevolent-authoritarian - a strict distance is maintained, but the leader’s attitude is lenient (as towards servants), punishment and reward are more balanced here;
- consultative-democratic - built on the boss’s high trust in team members, motivates with rewards, rarely punishes, distance is maintained, but relationships are warmer and more trusting;
- on participation - there are warm (sometimes even friendly) relations between the team and the boss, mutual trust and confidence, motivation of the team with material rewards, bonuses and other incentives, punishment - only in extreme cases (rarely).
Today, management style is the generalized data discussed above. Scientists Blake and Mouton placed them in the management grid they developed. The latter is a table with two scales about care: one about the production process, the second about people.
Each has 9 divisions and, accordingly, a score in the range of 1-9 for the expression of the leader’s strategy.
Primitive leadership
A management style when the manager is minimally involved in the process of caring for staff and building successful production. The manager is practically not interested in the question of whether his employees are satisfied with their work.
The boss himself is not particularly zealous or productive; he has one desire - to continue to occupy his position.
This management style leads to poor organization of the team, and deadlines for completing tasks are regularly missed. The outcome of this practice is the decline or complete ruin of the company.
According to the Blake-Mouton lattice, the model receives 1.1 points, hence the name - a primitive guide.
A manager who practices a primitive management style is not involved in work processes and is not interested in production and the team as a whole. Often attracts experts to solve various problems, and is nominally the boss. As a result, such activities have a detrimental effect on the success of the enterprise; often more active, proactive people “pick up” the would-be boss.
If a leader does not change his management style to a more effective one, he will lose his position. And this will be a more profitable outcome for the organization, provided that a person with a better strategy takes his place.
What is the impact of the correctly chosen style of personnel management in an online store?
A professional leader uses different methods of influence. This policy allows us to organize work efficiently and achieve the following goals:
- education of young personnel, which helps to develop qualified personnel focused on successful work in the company;
- respect, unconditional discipline;
- identifying ineffective employees, which prevents inappropriate spending of funds to pay for their services;
- promotion of worthy team members up the career ladder;
- organization of favorable conditions;
- attracting narrow, valuable specialists;
- formation of a friendly, responsible, purposeful team.
An irresponsible employee simply cannot be part of a motivated, professional workforce. By properly managing resources, the owner of an online store invests his time and energy in future stability and development .
Authoritarian leadership
A management style built on caring for the company with a complete lack of interest in the team.
A boss who adheres to this leadership model is distinguished by a high level of intelligence and responsibility, and has good organizational skills.
In relationships with subordinates, he strictly maintains his distance, does not trust decision-making, and connects the productivity of the team with a clear organization. An authoritarian management style can increase productivity, but in the long term it becomes a cause of dissatisfaction among the team.
According to the Blake-Mouton lattice, it gets 9.1 - the exact opposite of the primitive model.
To understand, this technique was widely practiced in the USSR, but in modern realities it shows complete inconsistency.
Companies under the leadership of such authoritarian bosses do not develop, operate “the old fashioned way,” and suffer from staff turnover. This management style is also common among the younger generation. They are distinguished by a paradoxical requirement: they want the team to perform tasks flawlessly, but they do not trust them at all.
Roughly: a step to the left, a step to the right - execution.
It is extremely difficult for creative modern people to get along with such an authoritarian boss who does not tolerate any deviation from instructions.
However, this management style cannot be completely discounted, since it has advantages:
- iron discipline - complete obedience, no violations (the slightest mistake is punishable by a fine or other serious punishment);
- clarity and transparency of the company - all processes are strictly controlled;
- stability in a crisis situation - a “trained” team will cope with any force majeure quickly, with minimal losses.
So how should it be done?
We found our own flaws in each of the three styles. So what management style should you choose and how to behave with subordinates? Much, of course, depends on your personality and character type. A dictator by nature will never “deliver snot” and care about the personality of each employee. But a quiet, intelligent woman is simply not capable of slamming her fist on the table and forcing her subordinates to work.
What to do? Combine management styles depending on the situation. This is called situational management. For example, if force majeure occurs, you need to turn on the dictator mode and give clear instructions that can save the situation. If you see that an employee is not coping with his job, use an individual approach, talk to the person personally, find out what worries him. If you need to solve a new problem, stick to a democratic style, find out the opinions of all employees and solve the problem together. Moreover, even when interacting with the same person, it is possible to use different management styles, again depending on the situation. Somewhere to be a tough leader, somewhere to be a wise mentor, sometimes to provide the necessary fatherly support. Here's a chart to help you skillfully navigate between multiple management styles.
Of course, to do this you need to be an experienced leader and a fairly flexible person. All this comes with time. Good luck to you, may everything work out!
Industrial and social leadership
A relatively balanced management style, when the boss is interested in a successful result and shows concern for employees. The manager discusses decisions with the team and is distinguished by his progressive views. In general, the manager manages to maintain a balance between production efficiency and the interests of the team.
The production-social management style often allows one to achieve average results, since new criteria for completing tasks are not used. The boss doesn't insist on them. Situations also often arise where the needs of the team and the job are not fully met. On the Blake-Mouton grid, this management style is located in the middle and scores 5.5 on both scales.
The golden mean in the table characterizes the main principle of the model under consideration. The manager is in a constant search for a compromise: to take into account the interests of the team and production there will be tangible benefits.
The advantages of the production-social methodology include the adaptability and flexibility of the leader, which ensures its effectiveness. Practicing the management style under consideration, the manager makes decisions himself, but motivates team members to express their opinions.
Which style should an online store owner choose?
Combining the above techniques is the ideal formula for maintaining authority and properly organizing work processes. There is no single formula; it is important to focus on the circumstances:
- level of stressful situation;
- complexity of the task;
- characteristics of the work team: percentage of newcomers, experienced managers, performers;
- direction of the company's activities.
In difficult situations, it is worth making a choice in favor of authoritarianism and democracy. During periods of calm, coaching, liberality, and your own example are suitable.
Social leadership
The social model of leadership is a management style in which the boss focuses more on caring for subordinates and less on production tasks. The atmosphere at work is warm, friendly and pleasant. The manager is confident that he creates optimal conditions for employees to be productive and promotes their self-motivation.
A management style where the main focus is on the interests of the team leads to controversial results because it interferes with high productivity. It is pleasant to work in such a team, but the efficiency of work is a big question. According to the Blake-Mouton grid, the social management style is at 1.9.
Subordinates treat their boss well and are confident in his help and support. The microclimate in the team is excellent, the leader is highly regarded by the team. However, there will always be individuals who take advantage of the manager’s excessive softness. In certain situations, this management style is acceptable, but for a successful company aimed at development, this approach is ineffective. A boss who is too attentive to other people’s problems can also forgive missed deadlines for completing tasks or constant delays (for “good reasons”).
Discipline suffers and productivity drops.
HRM methods
If a manager wants to be listened to, then it is important to use the basic methods of influencing HR management:
- economic impact. We are talking about bonuses, other types of financial incentives, loans, and a percentage of sales. Along with “good” incentives, the opposite ones are being introduced: sanctions, penalty points, deprivation of the same bonus. If you work hard, you get a bonus; if you work poorly, you get financial sanctions;
- organizational and administrative (administrative). These are directives, internal orders, a fixed set of rules. Implemented to maintain discipline and enhance the leader’s reputation;
- socio-psychological. They create a favorable microclimate in the team: unity, similar goals, initiative.
Social-psychological methods go hand in hand with economic ones. It is recommended to implement not just one of them, but several, assessing the local labor situation.
Team leadership
A leader who has chosen a team management style focuses on the needs of the team and production. In the Blake and Mouton classification, it is marked at position 9.9 and is considered optimal. However, such a model is very rare, but all managers are recommended to focus on it on the path of professional self-improvement.
Traits of the leader of the style in question:
- provides ample opportunities for team members;
- confident in the dedication of the team;
- treats subordinates with trust and respect;
- involves the team in management and decision making;
- successfully copes with complex tasks through joint efforts with employees.
This approach leads to high productivity and a sense of job satisfaction among subordinates. There is a synergy effect here, when 2+2 in total gives more than 4 - individually, the team and the manager are able to achieve less results than acting together.
What to read on the topic
- Sydney Finkelstein, 2021 - Superbosses
- Ray Dalio, 2021 - Principles
- Tony Hsieh, 2014 - Delivering Happiness
- Jim Collins, 2014 - Good to Great
- Radislav Gandapas, 2021 - Leader's Charisma
- Richard Branson, 2014 - To hell with everything! Take it and do it
- Lee Kuan Yew, 2013 - From the third world to the first
- Dennis Bakke, 2021 - Work is a joy
- Jim Collins, 2021 - How the Great Die
- Jim Collins and Morten Hansen, 2021 - Great by Choice
Six emotional leadership styles
The classification of management styles was proposed by the American psychologist Daniel Goleman in his book “Emotional Leadership”.
Visionary leadership style
This model is characterized by a precise designation of the goal set for subordinates. The boss describes the task in detail and interestingly, sets the vector of movement, but does not talk about implementation methods. The style is used in a situation where the company needs to develop in a new direction. The team has complete freedom of action in terms of developing new ideas and ways to achieve goals, including experimental ones.
Mentoring leadership style
A feature of the mentoring style of personnel management is the emphasis on employee development. The manager demonstrates to subordinates ways and options to improve their performance.
A mentor combines the personal goals of each team member with the goals of the current project or the company as a whole. Daniel Goleman believes this model is effective with a proactive team that is committed to professional development.
But the mentoring style of personnel management does not always achieve the desired result. The opposite effect is possible when the team perceives the leader’s actions as a desire to control everything. In this case, subordinates develop self-doubt.
Affiliative leadership style
The model is characterized by an emphasis on cohesion among team members working on a project. Allows you to increase the morale of subordinates, establish trusting relationships, and improve communication. But in an effort to bring the team closer together, it is important not to relegate productivity to the background.
Democratic leadership style
The basis of the democratic style of personnel management is the skills and knowledge of subordinates working to solve a common problem. Suitable for situations where the exact vector of development has not yet been set, but you need to get the opinions of all team members.
The model is based on collective decision-making, but in a crisis it has negative consequences, since you need to act quickly.
Advantages of the considered personnel management style:
- strengthening team spirit - subordinates become like-minded people united by one goal;
- minimizing errors - the more personnel involved in the work, the higher the likelihood of finding an optimal solution;
- a small percentage of staff turnover - you don’t want to leave a team that shares values and goals. With this model, team members feel involved in a common mission and goal.
Directive leadership style
A boss who uses this style sets high standards for himself and his subordinates. Everything can be done faster and better – this is what the manager’s behavior model is built on.
The author of the book believes that excessive use of the method leads to an erosion of morale in the team; employees begin to doubt the correctness of tasks. This style has a negative impact on the team.
Commander leadership style
The leader is more like a commander in chief. According to the psychologist, the least effective model, but used most often. Working with the team is based on criticism, no reward or praise. Subordinates experience job dissatisfaction. This technique is relevant in times of crisis, when you need to quickly improve the situation.
Main goals of HR management
The main goals of HRM include:
- selection of managers to fully staff the company;
- using tools to help improve operational efficiency and reduce the percentage of errors;
- search and dismissal of personnel who cannot cope with the responsibilities assigned to them;
- orientation of labor personnel towards collective activities and new achievements;
- taking measures necessary for systemic development: advanced training, courses, seminars;
- identification of promising employees.
HRM implies complete control of all work processes. The introduction of the basics of HR management into the work of an online store allows you to avoid negligence in duties, conflicts, and payment for the work of unqualified managers.
Planning principles
Planning should follow the following principles (rules):
— flexibility, providing for constant adaptation to changes in the operating environment of the enterprise. Changing it requires adjusting the plan for various changes in the external and internal environment;
— continuity, which assumes the sliding nature of planning, primarily in terms of systematic revision of plans, “shifting” the planning period (for example, after the end of the reporting month, quarter, year);
— communication, which means coordination and integration of efforts. Everything must be interconnected and interdependent;
— participation, which implies the importance of involving all possible participants in the process of functioning of a cultural institution;
— adequacy, i.e. reflection of real problems and self-evaluation in the planning process;
— complexity, as the relationship and reflection in the plan of all areas of the financial and economic activities of the enterprise;
— multivariate, allowing you to choose the best of the alternative possibilities for achieving the goal;
— iterativeness – provides for the repeated linking of already compiled sections of the plan (iteration). This determines the creative nature of the planning process itself.
— the principle of unity — predetermines the systematic nature of planning, which means the existence of a set of structural elements of a planning object that are interconnected and subordinated to a single direction of their development, focused on common goals. A single direction of planned activity, the commonality of goals of all elements of the enterprise become possible within the framework of the vertical unity of divisions and their integration.
When developing plans, it is necessary to use such planning principles as:
1) Timeliness
2) Validity
3) Focus
4) Information content
5) Rationality
6) Complexity (organizational, technical, personnel aspects)
Planning sources
When planning their future activities, cultural institutions must take into account some social aspects, namely:
— requests, interests and needs of the population;
— educational and cultural level of the population living in the cultural service area;
— free time of potential visitors;
— real possibilities of the cultural institution itself;
— various trends in the development of cultural institutions and its role in the system of cultural and leisure activities.
Obviously, these tasks will be helped by collecting, analyzing and processing various planning sources, which include:
— various types of research (free time budget, education, range of interests, needs, etc.);
— financial plan of the cultural institution for the coming year (estimate of income and expenses);
— analysis of the activities of a cultural enterprise over the past year;
- social and creative orders coming from public organizations, enterprises and firms located in the cultural service area of a cultural institution, municipal authorities, veterans and youth organizations, etc.;
— holidays and significant dates in the life of the country, region, city, district of a separate work collective, etc.;
— federal and regional cultural programs;
— plans for the work of departments, club formations of the cultural institution itself and other sources.
Leadership Classifications
Scientists identify different types of leadership:
Classification by Kurt Lewin. According to her, there are three types of leadership:
- authoritarian
- democratic
- liberal
Blake-Mouton Management Grid Concept:
- authoritarian
- command
- production-team
- social
- primitive
Theory X and theory Y. According to it, all people are conventionally divided into unmotivated (X) and ambitious (Y). The former, as a result, need to be strictly controlled, the latter only need to be adjusted from time to time).
Full Spectrum Leadership Model:
- transactional
- transformational
- principle of non-interference
Not all existing management models are popular in business. There are six types that are most common—we’ll talk about them.
Interesting twist
But perhaps the most interesting finding comes from a 2018 study conducted by researchers at Binghamton University. They studied which leadership style had the best effect on subordinates' performance. To do this, scientists observed the work of various leaders, not only in business, but also in the army.
As a result, employees who were managed by a paternalistic leader showed the highest performance. This leadership model turned out to be the best in both the group of office workers and the group of soldiers.
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Scientists attribute its success to a successful combination of “carrot” and “stick”. The leader in this case is demanding and seeks to deeply control the work of the team. But at the same time, he cares about his subordinates and is ready to help them develop.
The main conclusion of the study: to be effective, a manager needs to think not only about goals, but also about the well-being of the team.
