MANAGEMENT STYES FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

LOURDES D. EUSEBIO

Leadership skills, like most abilities in life, must be earned through practice and hard work. However there are many different way to be a good leader. In fact, great leaders often incorporate different types of management styles. The simple and perhaps somewhat disappointing, answer is that there is no method of leadership that is always superior to all other types of management styles.The best type of management is one that is flexible, adaptive and appropriate for the given circumstances. This is true because different situations call for different kind of leadership.

When deciding how to lead, you’ll need to take a number of things into consideration. Here are few of the factors that will influence which management style you’ll need to employ: the volume of work that needs to be completed in the near future, your personality and innate management qualities, the personalities and attitudes of the staff you’re currently managing. Once you’ve taken all of this factors into account, you’re ready for action!

Democratic leaders are eager to involve their staff in the company decisions. In this management style you’re showing you’re team that you trust them and respect their input. It is also displays a confidence in both your employees’opinion and your own ability as a leader. The inspirational leader require superb people skill, a big heart and a honest desire to help your employees to develop both in and outside of your workplace.

While there is much to be said in the democratic leadership style, sometimes it call for a dictator. Maybe your new in the workplace seems a chaotic, lacking in order and structure. Or perhaps your employees tend to slack off and are in need of disciplinary action. Neither of these cases, you might need to adopt a authoritative type of management, but it doesn’t mean you need to be rude- remember that you can give orders with a smile and a “please”.

The magic word for results -based management is efficiency. You’re not concerned with how things get done, as long as they get done well and in the quickest way possible.You don’t feel the need to create every rule or method of yourself- if an employee comes up with a superior way of doing things, you’re happy to make changes.

Collaborative approach to leadership is similar to democratic style but differs in significant way. With the collaborative management style, you’re not simply asking your employees to participate in a yay-oy-nay— you’re actively soliciting feedback from a team about the company policies. You’re looking to have real, thoughtful conversations about of improving that empowers your staff and may even provide some innovative solutions.

Strategic managers aren’t interested in the minute details of basic tasks. Instead, they’re focused on the bigger picture and long term success of the organization the manage. You’re comfortable allowing assistant managers and shift leaders to see to oversee the majority of everyday responsibilities. While others get the mundane work done.

Affiliative manager is humble, hardworking and confident. These type of managers make themselves a part of the team and lead from the front, rather than constantly reminding employees that they’re the one in charge. In this style your looking for opportunities to affiliate yourself with your staff and lending a helping hand wherever its needed. Employees see you as an ally and will respect the fact that you’re trying to help them succeed.

Ultimately, any manager worth her salt will use a combination of these management styles. Leaders who know how to lead are flexible and quick to adopt to their environment.

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The author is Principal I at Maimpis Elementary School, City of San Fernando Pampanga