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. These all influence the type of management you use and the results you will get.
Rather than telling my management trainees what types of management I approve of and what I do not approve of, I train them in skills to evaluate the workplace as a whole. 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. When overseeing writers or other creatives, on the other hand, you want a much more interactive type of management. Good leaderships shows people that their ideas are valuable and also opens the door for improvement and suggestions.
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. Using effective management is the key to increasing productivity and efficiency at the workplace. It is vital to understand is it not about you per se. This requires a thorough understanding of human psychology, as well as knowledge of the goals of your business. By understanding all the different types of management, you can accomplish these goals most effectively.
