People in business will say there are many different styles of management to select from when it comes to managing people. Usually people will divided it into 2, 3, or 4 schools of management. For me, however, it is all sort of a continuum. One of the most frequently discussed management issues is degree of authoritarianism. Some managers are more democratic while others tend to be more autocratic. Although this distinction is important, it is not the only thing that matters. Some managers are more involved while other managers are more distant. Some managers put a heavier emphasis on positive feedback while others keep a hands off approach unless they have something negative to say. All of these factors influence the type of management you use as well as the results.
In addition to training managers in what style of leadership to use, I also instruct them on how to evaluate the workplace environment itself and come up with the best managment solution. A workplace is an organic unit, and the types of management that work in one area will not always work in another. For example, when overseeing engineers you may want an all business, no-nonsense type of management. Engineers do well with very clear and straightforward instructions, and tend not to mind an autocratic style as much. Creative people such as artists and writers tend to need a more interactive type of management style. People are motivated by having their ideas valued. This leads to employees coming up with suggestions for improvements on their own.
The best managers, at least as far as I’m concerned, don’t show any allegiance to a particular style of management. Every workplace has different situations that call for different types of management. Flexibility is the key, not skills as a democratic manager or an authoritarian manager. When working with people who need autonomy, give it to them. When working with people who need oversight, give it to them. When your workers need positive feedback, feel free to praise them. When your workers are straying too far from the mark, feel free to criticize them in a constructive manner. Management is all about increasing efficiency and productivity in your place of business. It is not all about you. This requires a thorough understanding of human psychology, as well as knowledge of the goals of your business. All business goals can be accomplished using these tips for understanding the many management styles available for the company.