What’s Your Management Style?

Is your management style preventing you from getting the results you need from your team? Some styles can actually hurt your team.  Take this quiz to discover your management style and what you can do to be a better manager.

Answer each statement with “T” for True or “F” for False.

1. _____  I prefer to make all decisions myself.  The buck stops here.
2. _____  I am a strategic thinker.  I always have a clear vision for the future.
3. _____  I encourage my staff to learn and grow even if it means they grow out of their current position.
4. _____  I create a competitive environment to help motivate employees.
5. _____  When it comes to work decisions, two heads (or more) are better than one.
6. _____  My staff should handle their own jobs.  I only get involved if something goes wrong.
7. _____  When I make a decision it’s final.  I don’t want further discussion or questioning.
8. _____  I am not heavily involved in the day to day with my staff.
9. _____  I have strong people skills and high Emotional Intelligence.
10. _____  If you set lofty goals and a brisk work pace, employees will be motivated to step up.
11. _____  I ask for and seriously consider others ideas before making a decision.
12. _____  Employees should have the freedom to experiment with their work assignments.
13. _____  I need to be involved in all projects to be sure nothing gets off track.
14. _____  I am a risk taker.
15. _____  I believe collaboration is key to getting things done.
16. _____  It is important to push people to meet goals.
17. _____  I value employees that challenge ideas and the status quo.
18. _____  I would describe my management style as “hands-off”.  My staff knows what to do.
19. _____  It is important for a manager to assert their authority.
20. _____  I am a natural leader.  Please follow me even if I don’t have the title.
21. _____  I hold myself out as a mentor to help my employees get to the next level.
22. _____  It is the manager’s duty to set the work pace for their group.
23. _____  I routinely encourage all employees to share their ideas.  Everyone has a contribution to make.
24. _____  I create the time and space to encourage creativity and innovation.

Record the Questions You Marked “T” True in the Management Style Grid Below

There is no one Management Style that is best.  The best managers can use many styles and are able to match the style needed to the situation or to the employee’s needs.  New or inexperienced employees may benefit from more direction and instruction typical of the Authoritative style.  Styles like Lasses-Faire and Consultative may frustrate the new hire but be welcomed by the accomplished professional with many years of experience.  Below you will find a brief description of each style.  Try to develop some of the characteristics of the styles you are missing or are weak in on the quiz.

AUTHORITATIVE – A strong authority and decisive leader who takes control.  They naturally expect people to follow them and abide by their decisions.  They can be powerful and may tend to micromanage.  They don’t usually need the input of others to make their decisions.  This style of management is good in a crisis situation or with new or inexperienced employees.  Experienced professionals may not respond well to this style of management.

VISIONARY – The visionary manager is strategic, inspirational and charismatic.  They have an uncanny ability to think on their feet and may formulate plans, ideas and decisions while talking.  They are emotionally intelligent, natural leaders that people seem to follow because of their charisma and vision.  This style of management is especially good with experienced professionals.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP – This style has strong people skills and high emotional intelligence.  They cultivate high trust with their supportive style and encourage collaboration.  They create a learning environment and often serve as mentors or coaches to employees.  This style of management encourages and helps to improve performance.

PACESETTER – The pacesetter sets lofty goals they expect people to follow.  They push people to achieve by fostering competition and setting the pace in the workplace.  Those that are new or inexperienced may find it difficult to work under a pacesetter.  Although some workplace competition can be healthy, too much can create a cut throat environment and resentment among team members.  This style can be effective in a sprint to complete a project but is not often a good day to day, long term style.

CONSULTATIVE – This management style encourages idea sharing because they believe that two heads, or more, are always better than one.  They naturally consider the ideas of others in their decision making process.  They value independent thinking and those that challenge ideas.  This style is very effective in getting people to contribute.

LASSEZ-FAIRE – This is a hands off style of management.  This style only gets involved when something goes wrong.  They believe in the freedom to experiment.  They easily create the space and environment for creativity and innovation.  This style works well will experienced employees where a boost to innovation is needed.

Click the image above to learn more about how Motivational Management can help you improve your leadership style.

Nancy O’Keefe, MBA, MS, is a Workplace Strategist, Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, and Author of the Book Unlimited Talent:  What Every CEO Needs to Know to Win the Workforce War.   She works with CEOs, senior executives and business owners to create profitable and productive workplaces that attract, motivate and retain great people. She is a thought leader in strategy, management and cultivating talent.  She can be found at https://nancyokeefeconsulting.com