By Cooper Nelson
Whether you’re interested in becoming an entrepreneur or simply pursuing a business degree, there are several types of management styles to learn about. Understanding various management styles, after all, can help you in many capacities, from learning how to lead and manage people more effectively as a team to a more positive experience on group projects for school and work.
Becoming familiar with management styles can also complement the knowledge gained from such business degree programs as:
So what are the management styles? Read on to find out!
Affiliative management is a style that focuses on creating and maintaining positive relationships within the team. It’s considered a "people first" approach to management. It encourages team-building exercises and aims to make everyone feel comfortable and appreciated. The overall goal of this style is to promote cooperation and harmony.
The advantages of an affiliative management style are:
The disadvantages of affiliative management are:
Every organization may want to consider having an affiliative leader to enhance the workplace.
Autocratic leadership is the opposite of affiliative management. This style hinges upon control and power, with decision-making resting entirely in the hands of one person: the manager.
Generally, autocratic managers take charge of day-to-day operations and provide each team member with precise instructions. These bosses also might frequently check on the team's progress to ensure everything is on schedule.
The advantages of autocratic management are:
The disadvantages of autocratic management include:
While this style may not be suitable for all workplaces, it can be successful for managers who have the characteristics necessary to make it work. This type of boss should have a clear vision and a firm commitment to deadlines.
A coaching management-style leader builds a strong connection with employees and helps them improve their professional skills and abilities through one-on-one guidance.
Under this management style, team members are encouraged to experiment with new ideas while meeting company targets.
The advantages of coaching management include:
The disadvantages of coaching management include:
The coaching management style might be ideal for employees who want to improve their professional skills and managers who can commit to helping them get there.
This type of boss is often a strong leader who makes quick decisions and expects team members to follow orders. It is a common method for influencing employee behavior.
The advantages of commanding management include:
The disadvantages of commanding management include:
The commanding management style might be best suited for employees looking for decisive leadership and clear direction.
Democratic managers encourage team members to take the initiative, question the status quo, make suggestions for improvement, and collaborate. It’s a participative or shared leadership style.
The advantages of democratic management include:
The disadvantages of democratic management include:
The democratic management style is best suited for shared leadership that encourages creative thinking and collaboration among employees. This type of management might be helpful when the company has a diverse workforce or no clear leader.
In laissez-faire, or hands-off, management, the boss allows employees to make their own decisions and leads by example rather than by providing direct instructions.
The advantages of laissez-faire management include:
The disadvantages of laissez-faire management include:
The laissez-faire management style is best suited to those looking for a more relaxed work environment where employees are expected to take the initiative. This type of management could be used when the company has a lot of experienced employees or is in a stable state.
Pace-setting managers are usually more direct when communicating with employees and have little tolerance for those who fail to pull their weight in the workplace.
The advantages of pace-setting management include:
The disadvantages of pace-setting management include:
Pace-setting management might be ideal for more traditional work environments at companies that are looking to increase productivity. This type of management might be used when the company is expanding or has a lot of new employees.
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Visionary managers encourage employees to be proactive and take initiative, and they try to inspire a generally positive attitude in the workplace. They believe in empowering their employees and giving them enough information to make informed decisions while letting go of control when necessary.
The advantages of visionary management include:
The disadvantages of visionary management include:
Visionary management might be found at companies looking to develop a proactive and positive work culture. This type of management could be used when the company is a startup or has recently undergone changes.
Mastering your management skills is among the many essential tips for successfully starting your own business. Finding the best management style for you will come with trial and error.
You can also combine approaches to create a management style that works best for you and your team. Management styles are not one size fits all, so it’s important to find the one that works best for you and your company — and maybe customize it to your objectives.
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