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There are five basic management styles. Each has its pros and cons. It is your personal traits and the environment in which you lead your team that determines which management style you choose (both consciously and unconsciously) and which suits you best. Here is a list of the five basic management styles. Which is yours?
As The Muse states, democratic management is based on debates, voting, collective decision-making and good communication. The advantage is that all team members feel like they are taking an active part in everything that takes place. The cons are slowness and the fact that assertive leadership may be lacking, especially in times of crises.
This leadership style is much less democratic. The manager simply tells subordinates what they have to do. Thus, flexibility and the ability to look at things from different angles may be lacking. Quickness and efficiency may also be outweighed by the risk of falling into micromanagement.
Within this style, everyone is equal. The manager has friendly relations with subordinates, everybody trusts one another, and all team members pull together as one team. However, this togetherness is based on relationships and emotions, which at times makes it quite fragile.
Here the manager gives subordinates maximum freedom. They provide them room for their own initiative and do not interfere too much with their work but merely coordinate it. Within this system, employees are often very happy, but often any unifying vision is absent.
This style is based purely on a system of supply and demand, and quid pro quo. The manager has an almost purely business-like relationship with subordinates. This system may function well, but in moments of crisis employee motivation to do something extra may be lacking.
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