What Makes The Right Style Of Management?

23/03/2011

By Willie Donald, Associate Trainer at Management Intelligence Consulting Ltd

Understanding or deciding on the appropriate style of management in the workplace can be a challenge for managers and employees alike. The Lifo Method allows us to group behaviour in the workplace into four styles, each of which provides a basic short-hand of typical behaviours we all witness day to day. While a person can be described as predominately emphasising a particular style, he or she may use aspects of all the styles, depending on the circumstances. The four styles are each a collection of attitudes, behaviours and ideologies which are integrated...

...around a central theme.

- The Supporting-Giving management style is characterised by an attempt to behave in such a way that one will be worthy of the respect of others. It is the extension of the desire to be a good person, from being able to conform to the values and dictates of one’s beliefs, to striving for continuing self-development reflected in an overall insistence and concern for high standards of behaviour. Therefore being considerate, thoughtful, and helpful to others is valued; as is the ability to do things well. Trust, belief in others, a modest bearing, and a willingness to dedicate effort for good causes is consistent with this style.

Under intense threat someone using this style can be overly concerned with ideals to the point of being unrealistic and so concerned or so trusting and responsive that others take advantage. Because of this person’s high standards they may, under pressure, become hypocritical, lose confidence in their ability to cope and become overly dependent on others. When engaged in conflict the mode of response will be to try to relieve tension by giving in, or passively resisting.

Consider the case of Frank, a Divisional Director at a large pharmaceutical firm. He... continued on page two >

 

 

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