Most Effective Leadership & Management Styles & Approaches

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Please respond to the following statement: “Which personal style should managers adopt to ensure success? What is the most effective approach to managing the work of subordinates? These questions have been extensively researched and debated over the last century, and while the general consensus has moved away from ‘command and control’ to management and leadership towards more consultative and participative approaches, there is no single ideal, as the best approach may vary according to circumstances and individual characteristics” (CMI 2013)

Introduction

In my previous blog I discussed about how organization manages diverse teams by illustrating an example of J.W. Marriott and how Marriott managers managed the diverse workforce efficiently.in this blog I am discussing about different leadership and management styles and approaches, and how these approaches affect organizational performance.

Journal of business studies Quarterly (2014, volume 6, Number 1) states “Manager is seen as an action character and the leader appears to be seen as a visionary.”

In terms of ethical behavior leaders are more important than managers. Management does not include definite moral and ethical dimensions, and it only focuses on individual groups and its interests, and it is only concerned with the process of survival, which includes planning, organizing, controlling and directing. Therefore, if there is no ethics in leadership, the residual part is management.

Though Management and leadership are two distinctive terms and are taught separately, but they are inter-related. Both aspects work together best. Separating leadership and management makes the manager mediocre bureaucrat and the leader an untouchable divine individual.

Manager without leadership will not be able to achieve organizational growth and the leader without management will bring the organization, as there will less usage of administrative skills, and more usage of power.

Manager is a person is someone who performs the tasks of management whether or not they have power over others. (Mullins 2013: 428)

Leader is an individual who is self-aware, capable enough to manage diversity, influence others, inspire challenge and capable to adjust and steady consistent behavior.

Leader’s behavior effects employee tasks, and outcomes related to those tasks. Therefore to determine the most effective form of leadership, there are different styles of leadership to achieve organizations growth. (Mullins 2013: 436)

There are different leadership styles to determine the most effective form of leadership.

  • Autocratic or Authoritarian Style
  • Democratic Style
  • Laissez-faire or genuine Style

Autocratic leadership style is where the main focus of power is with the manager. The manger is held responsible for decision-making and policy formulation, deciding goals, work tasks, control of rewards. There is no involvement of other group members. (Mullins 2013:377)

Democratic leadership style is where the more focus of power is with the group as a whole. This style involves greater interaction within the group before taking any decision. Manger is more part of a team and leadership functions are shared among group members. (Mullins 2013:377)

Laissez-faire or genuine leadership style is where the manger observes group members whether they are working well or not. Manager allows employees to practice freedom of action i.e. ‘to do as they think best’. Manger believes not to interfere and is always available if asked for any help. (Mullins 2013:377)

J.W. Marriott follows Democratic leadership style. His core values and culture is concerned with Marriott’s people. He believes that people are the main asset of any successful company. He states, “Treat your employees the way you would like to be treated- provide them every avenue to success. Get their confidence and respect. Have them like and be interested in their job.”

Marriott international have “Guarantee OF fair Treatment” policy, which is concerned with employees and their problems. This policy makes sure that their problems are heard and a solution is provided. (Marriott.co.uk, 2015)

In the above video Marriott’s core values are described. They believe that people are the most important asset of any organization. They embrace and adapt changes with an act of integrity. They believe in treating their employees equally, involve them in decision making. Marriott managers discuss with group members before taking any decision, or forming new procedures and policies. (Marriott News, 2015)

Managerial Grid

 

model 

 

Managerial grid is a model by ‘The Blake Mouton’, which highlight the most appropriate leadership style to use referring to two main aspects, which include concern for your people and your concern for production or tasks.

Leadership styles, which are people-oriented mainly, focus on organizing and managing your team members. This leads to effective and creative teamwork.

Whereas, leadership styles, which are task-oriented mainly, focus on getting the work done. The manger assign tasks, form rules and procedures, organize, take decisions, and monitor work. (Roberson, Arleane, 2006)

So, according to this the leadership style, which has both high concerns for tasks and for people, is best suited for managers to perform their functions in an organization.

Democratic leadership style is best suited for mangers, as it has both high concerns for people as well as for tasks. It focuses on getting the work done based on the concern of its group members.

Conclusion

In response to the CMI 2013 statement, I would not agree with it. To run any organization successfully democratic leadership style is most appropriate style any manager can adapt. Organization involves decision-making, assigning, managing and performing tasks, which positively comes under democratic leadership style. According to managerial grid model this style is highly concerned with people and tasks both, which is the most effective approach and it definitely ensures success for an organization.

References

9 thoughts on “Most Effective Leadership & Management Styles & Approaches”

    • democratic leadership style is more feasible and as far as convincing the employees is concerned proper communication between the sub ordinates and employees will help out

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