Management style

A statesman is a politician who places himself at the  service of the nation. A politician is a statesman who places the nation at his service. Georges Pompidou

Managers fall into two broad categories - those who start up organizations or departments and the vast majority who administer the status quo. Each type requires different personal qualities.

The approach: Do managers regard their subordinates and themselves as working together for the organization or regard their subordinates as working for them personally? Do they use words like 'us', 'we', 'our' or words like 'me', 'my', 'I', 'you', ‘they’? The employees should also get the feeling that the managers are working for the good of the whole organization, not for just one or two participants, such as the owners or themselves. In dealing with failure, do managers share responsibility, try to discover reasons why and apply corrective action or do they concentrate on apportioning blame? Is a feeling of confidence promoted or is the environment one of fear? What is the attitude to whistle-blowers? Are promises made which are forgotten?

Decision-making: There are three extremes of management style with regard to decision-making, although, in real life, particular individuals will often have ingredients of all three.
Democratic - the manager allows subordinates to discuss issues and reach decisions although he will guide and advise.
Autocratic - the manager allows subordinates little involvement and discussion before a decision is taken, e.g. the uniformed services. In businesses, this is often disastrous, since other opinions are ignored and consequently, mistakes made. 
Laissez-faire - the manager does not interfere with subordinates - and this can lead to situations where 'things just happen'. This can work, but often leads to anarchy.

Visibility:  Managers deal with their subordinates in different styles. They include ‘management by walking about’ - first publicized by Field Marshal Montgomery, ‘management by wanting to be liked by everyone’, ‘management by bullying’, ‘management by shouting’ and ‘management by dumping problems on others’! >>>