Management Roles and Leadership Styles

Ch 15

Management
“The process of attaining organizational goals by effectively and efficiently planning,
organizing, leading and controlling the organization’s human, physical, financial and
information resources”.
“An organizational role which involves planning, organizing, controlling, communicating
and coordinating in order to achieve set objectives”.

Role/Function of management

 Planning
This involves setting objectives and strategies, programmers and procedures for
achieving them.
 Organizing
This involves creating a framework for developing and assigning tasks, obtaining
and allocating resources and coordinating work activities to achiever goals.
 Leading/Commanding
This involves giving instructions to subordinates to carryout tasks. The managers
have authority to make decisions and responsibility to see tasks are carried out.
 Controlling
Managers measure and correct the activities the activities of individuals and
groups, to make it sure that their performance fits in with plans.
 Motivating
This is already discussed in detail.

Manager
Some one who participates in the management process by planning, organizing, leading
or controlling the organization’s resources.

Leader
Some one who advances organizational goals by influencing the attitudes and actions of
others.

Leadership
The ability to influence and to motivate others to achieve organizational goals.

 Qualities of Leader
• Effective leader have a positive self image, self confidence
that they will succeed.
• Creative and encourage others to do same.
• Self discipline
• Motivated
• Decision making and taking
• Multi talented
• Good communication skills
Some of these skills are inherent in a person’s personality; some skills need to be
developed through training and experience.
Leadership or management Styles

 Autocratic
Leaders take decisions on their own with no discussion and insist on obedience.
There fore group working under such leader become dependent. Leaders use one
way communication so no feedback is encouraged. Result of this is de-motivation
so supervision is essential. Example Armed forces, Police.
 Democratic
A democratic leadership style encourages participation in decision making.
Leaders using this approach need good communication skills. They must able to
explain ideas and understand feed back they received. This means that there is a
two way communication between leader and workers. This participation helps to
increase worker’s job satisfaction. Drawback of this approach is that, it takes long
time to make decisions.
 Bureaucratic or constitutional
Leaders act according to the rule book. There is a little opportunity for workers
flexibility but what is expected from them is always clear.
 Paternalistic
In this approach of Leadership, leader will explain and consult issues with
workforce, but he will not allow them to make decision. After consulting leader
will decide that what is the best for business and workforce. This style is suitable
with unskilled, newly appointed, or untrained staff.
 Laissez faire
Leaders set clear objectives for subordinates and then allow them to carry out
activities freely with responsibility, within broad limits. Result is relaxed
atmosphere. This can some times result in poor productivity and lack of
motivation as employees have little incentives to work hard.

Factors affecting leadership style

 Task
If a certain task result from an emergency which might need immediate response
from a person in authority, will need to take quick decision may required an
autocratic style of leadership.
 Tradition of organization
A business may develop its own culture which may the result of the interaction of
all employees at different levels.
 Type of Labor Force
If labor force is highly skilled and their opinions are sound then democratic
approach is best.
 The group size
 Attitude of leader towards work force
According to McGregor’s Theory X if workers are lazy, inexperience and
showing lack of interest in work and don’t want to take responsibility, then
autocratic leadership style is more likely to lead to effective decision making.
On the other hand according to McGregor’s Theory Y if workers enjoy work and
that they found it as natural as rest or play. They are prepared to accept
responsibility; they are creative and take an active part in contributing ideas and
solutions to work related problems. A democratic style of leadership will be
adopted.
 Time
The time available to complete a task might influence the leadership style. For
example, if a project has to be finished quickly, there may be no time for
discussion; an autocratic style may be adopted.