The different styles of management: How do you choose?

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Management is a crucial function in any organisation. It involves planning, organising, directing and controlling resources to achieve objectives. Effective management makes it possible to optimise resources, motivate employees, adapt to change, improve communication, develop skills and create added value for the company. For any organisation seeking to thrive in a dynamic and competitive environment, good internal management is essential. For certain specific projects, it is also possible to choose to be accompanied by management consulting experts.

 

Management : What's it for ? planning organisation direction control designed by FocusTribes

 

 

SUMMARY

1. Directive management

2. Persuasive management

3. Participative management

4. Delegative management

5. What type of management should you choose for your company ?

6. 10 tips to manage your teleworking team

7. To remember

 

 

There are different types of management within companies and within teams. From the most directive to the most participative, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Studies tend to show that the most horizontal management styles are the most effective at work.

 

Management styles : Result-oriented and relationship-oriented : directiv e persuasive participative and delegative

 

 

Directive management

 

 

Principles

 

Directive or authoritarian management is a style in which the manager makes all the decisions and strictly controls the actions of his subordinates. Directives are clear and precise, and communication is essentially top-down.

 

 

Advantages


Quick, clear decisions: rapid, consistent decision-making, useful in emergency or crisis situations.
Clear instructions : Precise and detailed instructions, eliminating ambiguity, beneficial for new recruits and less experienced employees.
Control and monitoring: Rigorous monitoring of processes and performance, ensuring compliance with company standards and objectives.

 

 

Disadvantages

 

Employee demotivation: Feeling of undervaluation and low commitment due to lack of involvement in decision-making.
Lack of creativity and innovation: Limited initiative and autonomy, stifling new ideas and process improvements.
Increased stress and pressure: Stressful work environment with constant supervision and high expectations without adequate support.

 

 

When should it be used?

 

Ideal in times of crisis or for routine tasks requiring strict supervision.

 

 

To remember:

 

Directive management centralises decisions and tightly controls employees' actions, enabling quick and clear decisions. It is effective in structured environments, reducing internal conflict through rigorous control. Recommended for crises, regulated environments, inexperienced teams and routine tasks, it must be used judiciously to maximise effectiveness and minimise inconvenience.

 

 

Use of directive management : advantages and disadvantages designed by Focustribes

 

 

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Persuasive management

 

Principles

 

Persuasive management uses the manager's charisma and communication skills to convince and motivate employees. Unlike the directive style, it involves active listening and explaining decisions, seeking to obtain the support and commitment of employees rather than imposing strict directives.
In this management style, the manager retains final decision-making power, but values feedback and suggestions from his team. They strive to create an atmosphere of trust and motivation by explaining the reasons behind decisions and showing how they benefit the team as a whole and the organisation.

 

 

Advantages

 

Increased motivation: Employees feel valued.
Team cohesion: Atmosphere of trust.
Enhanced creativity: Encouragement of new ideas.


 

Disadvantages

 

Waste of time: Incessant exchanges delay decisions.
Difficulty maintaining authority: perception of indecision on the part of the manager.
Ineffectiveness in a crisis: need for consultation.



When should it be used?

 

To strengthen the corporate culture, manage innovative projects and facilitate transitions.

 

 

To remember:

 

Persuasive management combines leadership and collaboration. It strengthens team cohesion and motivation and encourages creativity and innovation. It is recommended for innovative projects, transition phases, skills development and promoting corporate culture.

 

Use of persuasive management : advantages and disadvantages designed by Focustribes

 


 

 

Participative management

 

 

Principles

 

Participative management encourages collaboration and the active participation of employees in decision-making. The manager acts as a facilitator, listening to suggestions and seeking consensus. The aim is to value the contributions of each team member, harness collective intelligence and create an inclusive and motivating working environment.

 

 

Advantages

 

Motivation and commitment: A stronger sense of belonging.
Increased creativity: An environment conducive to new ideas.
Quality decision-making: Diversified perspectives.

 

Disadvantages

 

Decision-making time: lengthy consultations.
Risk of conflict: Differences of opinion.
Paralysis by analysis: Too many ideas slowing down action.

 

When should it be used?

 

To encourage innovation, develop employee skills and manage organisational change.

 

 

To remember:

 

Participative management stimulates motivation, commitment, creativity and team cohesion. It presents challenges such as slower decision-making and conflict, but is ideal for corporate culture and innovative projects. It improves processes and strengthens commitment. Properly adopted, it creates a collaborative and positive environment, essential for long-term growth.

 

Use of participative management : advantages and disadvantages designed by Focustribes

 


 

 

Delegative management

 

Principles

 

Delegative management entrusts a large proportion of decisions and responsibilities to employees.  In this model, the manager delegates tasks and the powers needed to accomplish them, giving employees a great deal of autonomy to carry out their tasks. The manager offers support and resources, creating an environment conducive to individual initiative.

 

Advantages

 

Increased motivation and commitment: Autonomy reinforces belonging and motivation.
Developing skills and leadership: Encouraging expertise and identifying future leaders.
Promoting creativity and innovation: Freedom of decision encouraging innovation.
Improved responsiveness and flexibility: rapid decision-making without waiting for approval.

 

Disadvantages


Lack of direction: Risk of ambiguity and errors without sufficient guidance.
Employee burnout: Risk of stress and burnout with too much responsibility.
Loss of control for the manager: Difficulty in monitoring progress and detecting problems.

 

When should it be used?

 

To encourage innovation, develop individual skills and optimise operational efficiency.

 

 

To remember:

 

Delegative management offers significant benefits, such as increased motivation, skills and leadership development and an overall improvement in job satisfaction. It also fosters responsiveness, flexibility and a positive corporate culture, adapted to flexible working environments and innovation.

 

Use of delagative management : advantages and disadvantages designed by Focustribes


 

 

What type of management should you choose for your company?

 

Strictly speaking, there is no one right or best management style... Every manager needs to adapt his management style to the personality and profile of each member of staff, as well as to the context...

Before choosing a management style, it's crucial to understand the unique characteristics of your business, such as..:

Company size: Smaller companies may benefit from more flexible management styles such as participative or delegative, while larger companies may require more structured styles such as directive.

Company culture: If your company values innovation and creativity, participative or delegative management may be more appropriate. On the other hand, a culture focused on efficiency and compliance might prefer a directive or persuasive style.

Sector: Some sectors, such as healthcare or finance, require stricter, regulated management styles, while creative or technological industries may benefit from more flexible styles.

 

 

Assess employee skills and experience


Skill level: For teams made up of experienced and skilled employees, a delegative management style can be effective, as it values autonomy and taking responsibility.

Experience level: Teams with less experienced members may need a more directive management style to provide clear direction and close supervision.

 

 

Consider the company's objectives and challenges


Short-term objectives: If the company needs to achieve specific short-term objectives, a directive or persuasive style may be more appropriate to ensure rapid and precise execution.

Long-term objectives: For long-term objectives involving innovation and growth, a participative or delegative management style may be more beneficial.

 

 

Taking account of the context and working environment

 

Stable environment: In stable working environments, delegative management can encourage growth and innovation.

Turbulent environment: In times of crisis or rapid change, a directive style may be needed to maintain order and discipline.

The choice of management style depends on many factors, including the characteristics of your business, the skills and experience of your employees, your objectives and challenges, and the context and working environment. By carefully assessing these elements, you can choose the most appropriate management style to maximise effectiveness, commitment and satisfaction within your organisation. It is also important to remain flexible and to be able to adapt your management style according to the profiles of your employees and the company's changing needs and developments.

 

 


 

 

10 tips to manage your teleworking team

 

According to an IFOP study in 2023, 69% of managers and directors believe that teleworking will be more common in 2030 than it is today. That's why it's vital for managers to adopt good teleworking management practices.


Here are a few tips for managing a teleworking team, depending on the type of management chosen by the company:


1. Establish clear guidelines: precise instructions for each task.
2. Set strict deadlines: Clear deadlines for each project.
3. Use tracking tools: Project management software such as Trello or Asana.
4. Maintain regular checks: Frequent meetings to check progress.
5. Communicate objectives: Clear objectives and their importance.
6. Encourage questions and initiative: Openness to employee concerns.
7. Motivate through recognition: Celebrate employee successes.
8. Use communication and collaboration tools: Platforms such as Slack or Teams.
9. Establish a relationship of trust and offer autonomy: Concern for employees' well-being.
10. Give regular, constructive feedback: Constructive feedback and advice on how to improve.

 

 

 

 

To remember:

 

Managing a teleworking team requires adjustments depending on the management style adopted by the company. By following these tips adapted to each type of management, you can maintain effective communication, boost employee motivation and ensure high productivity, even at a distance. Technological tools and a flexible, empathetic approach will play a crucial role in the success of teleworking management.

tables of directive management, persuasive management, participative management, delegative management

Management is a fundamental pillar of any organisation, encompassing the planning, organising, directing and controlling of resources to achieve set objectives. Effective management helps to optimise resources, motivate employees and create added value for the company. In a dynamic and competitive environment, choosing the right management style is crucial. From directive to participative management, each style has its advantages and disadvantages, and effectiveness often depends on the context and culture of the company.

 

 

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