Employees Manager Management Make Style People Autocratic Good

In the United States, people have many different "management styles," or ways of leading people at work. Here are descriptions of four common management styles.

In an "autocratic" management style, the manger has all the "power" (ability to make decisions and do things). The autocratic manager decides what needs to be done and tells his or her employees exactly how to do it. Most people do not like to work for autocratic managers, but sometimes the style is very "effective" (good at getting things finished quickly, well, and inexpensively). Most "military officers" (people who work in the army, navy, etc.) are autocratic managers.

A "paternalistic" management style is one where the manager acts more like a parent. The paternalistic manager still has all the power, but he or she does what is best for the employees. Many employees like working in this environment, but it isn't good for the business. Also, the employees "tend" (are likely to do something) to become dependent on the manager and are unable to make their own decisions.

A "democratic" management style is like a "democracy" (a system of government where everyone has the right to vote). Employees help the manager in making decisions. There is a lot of communication and employees feel that they are "valued" (that the company needs them). Unfortunately, it takes a long time to make decisions in this environment, and for that reason, it isn't always a good "option" (choice) for businesses in fast-moving industries.

Finally, a manager with a "laissez-faire" management style gives his or her employees "independence" (the ability to make one's own decisions) and tries not to control their work. This may be good for very "creative" (imaginative) employees who are designing products, but in other environments it can become "chaotic" (disorganized and confusing).