04 Understand Management Styles

Management styles are the patterns of behavior people use when they hold management positions. These patterns of behavior include how they communicate, make decisions, supervise, and motivate. There s a range of management styles and all are a blend of three key behaviors. Task direction, decision making, and relationship building. Task direction is when the manager tells the employee what to do, as well as when, where, and how. This may involve teaching and training as well as directives and instructions. Decision making is the extent to which the manager involves employees in the decision making process. This exists on a continuum. At one end, employees have no involvement at all, and at the other end the manager delegates decision making completely to the employees. Relationship building is how the manager forms a relationship with each employee as well as creates the work environment or culture for the team as a whole. It includes coaching, motivating and engaging employees, open communication, and res