Your own management style should depend upon the nature of your team. Ronald Lippitt researched three group leadership models
- democratic
- autocratic
- laissez-faire
and concluded that there was more originality, group-mindedness and friendliness in democratic groups. In contrast, there was more aggression, hostility, scapegoating and discontent in laissez-faire and autocratic groups.
As we say in the Delegation Profile exercise:
The best management style depends upon the situation that the manager is in. The nature of the staff forms a major part of the situation. For example, the more experienced the staff are, the less the manager has to tell them what to do and the more he or she can delegate.
Delegation is not the ideal style in all circumstances. It depends upon the situation. However, the more you can approach delegation, the more effective your team will be.
Start by reviewing Theory X and Y and on Participation This will give you some background thinking on management style. Try to overcome any naive beliefs that the manager has to be a tough boss and make all the decisions. Don't let your ego get in the way of your effectiveness.
Think about your team. Are your staff experienced, confident, learning, apprehensive or what? It is probable that each member of the team will differ – and so will the most appropriate style to use with each team member. Make notes of your conclusions and discuss them with each member of the team in turn. Agree with each team member which style of management will most help them.
Remember also that people develop and that it is your job to help them develop. Reading the short book The One Minute Manager will help. You might consider buying a copy for each member of the team so that they can fully appreciate what you are trying to do with your management style.
Extract taken from our Online Development Academy
For more information on our Management Development Programmes visit Call of the Wild's website.
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