Leadership Style in the Work Place

Total 10 27 $ 26,420.00 $ 19,748.33 $ 317,040.00 $ 13,100.00

1.0 Introduction

Bob and Lloyd inherited one million dollars and decided to move from the manufacturing sector to the service sector since the manufacturing business was not as profitable as before.

They decided to open a restaurant -B&L Roti Shoppe which is located in Pt Lisas. They have employed a total of 8 team members to assist them in running the operations, 3 of which were previously employed with them in their manufacturing business. Even though they have changed sectors the interactive skills acquired by these three employees will be an asset to this new organization.

Their business opening hours are from 10am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday just to target the breakfast and lunch period

All recruits were able to meet the criteria of the business, which were;

• They must be over 18 years for legal purposes

• Must have a secondary school education with evidence to prove such as certificates etc.

• Proper list of references to refer to.

The team members recruited for this job are contented with the hours of work since it permits them to further their studies and skills on their personal time.

Bob and Lloyd exceeded the competitors' rate deliberately so that they would be able to build retention as well as a core in their restaurant so that productivity and loyalty will be increased from their team members.

2.0

Relevant Leadership Theories

A leader is someone who guides a team towards one common goal. Leaders are required to create an environment in which other team members are comfortable and are involved in the entire process. The leader is also expected to be very decisive, organized and competent in the field.

According to Blake and Mouton, the 9.1 managerial style of Controlling is where leaders' concern for results was high and concern for people was low. This type of leadership may work in a manufacturing industry however it cannot be applied to the service industry.

Bob and Lloyd need to adopt the Status Quo 5.1 leadership style where business leaders demonstrate high concerns for people as well as high concerns on results.

The traditional concept of leadership is based on a vertical top-down relationship between employer and employee according to Pearce &Conger (2003). This type of leadership-Mintzberg (1983) a method of the past, still exists today even in other different types of leadership such as charismatic, transformational and visionary where all decisions are made at the top without contribution from the team. This leadership style can also be linked to the classical approach as well as autocratic approach which can create a stressful environment for the team members to operate in.

Classical approach is where employees are seen as tools to get the job done. Fredrick W Taylor (1856-1917) believed that people can work much better for more money through strict rules and regulations. Coercive and Legitimate power may have also been the styles used at the manufacturing company.

In the Autocratic approach, employees are found to be most resistant to this style. Autocratic leaders do not trust employees; they threaten them and do not involve them in decision making.

On the flip side of the Fredrick W Taylor's scientific approach is the Human relations approach where Elton Mayo (1880-1949) proved that productivity can be increased because communication and emotional bond were created between management and the team. The team was motivated more by being part of the team with security and recognition rather than monetary rewards. Managers need to focus on using the Reward and Referent power according to French and Raven, to get the team motivated and have them drawn to the leader.

Autocratic vs Democratic approach

The autocratic managers are commonly known as dictators, top-down managers or micro managers. They expect that the staff will do as they are told without any opposition or challenges. However, the democratic manager believes in delegating responsibilities, developing team members and motivating them. This leader must also listen and discuss any issues one may have with their assignment which may at times not include the leader's opinion.

While both types of management can be effective to a point, they can also be ineffective at times. No one would want to work for a dictator neither a leader who cannot make decisions.