Management styles: What does yours say about you?

If your employees had the opportunity to fire you, how soon would you be out the door? Your management style says a lot about you! Become a better manager. Below are EBR's top effective management styles:

Participatory

This style of management encourages the involvement of all staff members in all areas of the organisation. Participatory management allows staff to share in the decision-making process, and encourages not only respect between all members of the organisation, but also ongoing feedback that can be used to improve the workplace. Participatory managers show their trust for staff members by involving them in important decisions and keeping them updated as to any workplace changes.

Authoritarian

In an authoritarian style of management, decisions are usually made at the top without staff participation. Tasks are delegated to staff by management, and usually there is no room for negotiation or feedback. There is an element of supervision and control required in this style, which can become a negative aspect when exercised too thoroughly. This style of management should not be used in day-to-day dealings with staff members, but rather when an issue arises that requires a final and important decision to be made.

Teamwork

If you have a big project you need wrapped up by the end of the month, managing by teamwork is a great way to get it done! You can encourage and coordinate a team to pool their knowledge, skills and resources to tackle problems quickly and effectively. Teamwork depends not only on your style of management, but also on the coordination between team members. If the team feels stressed out, get them to take a break to wind down before getting back into work. Credit them for their successes through celebration, and understand that motivation is a key element to their success.

You should be selecting the best management to fit each situation or project. Having a healthy balance and alternating between management styles will help your staff do their best work! 

[Source: D&B: Small Business Solutions; Encyclopaedia of Business]