Are you a boss or a leader? While these terms may seem like synonyms, the fact is that they represent two distinct styles of overseeing employees. Whereas bosses tend to talk and issue orders, leaders are more apt to listen to their workers and collaborate with others in order to find the best solutions. Understanding the different managerial styles is crucial to maximizing productivity and performance in the workplace while keeping your team content.
Understanding Different Managerial Styles
Leadership style affects both your company culture and your bottom line. Here are three types of supervisors commonly found in the workplace:
Bosses
Also known as coercive leaders, bosses have a habit of making decisions without the input of their employees. While this style may seem effective from a time management standpoint, the fact is that demoralized workers are more likely to grow frustrated and seek out other positions. Additionally, over time, performance may start to suffer, as current employees suffer exhaustion and burnout.
Democratic Leaders
Unlike coercive leaders, democratic employers tend to consult with workers before making a final decision. Because employees feel their views are being heard, they often report higher job satisfaction than their peers with more authoritarian bosses. Additionally, this leadership style can inspire workers to rise to the challenges they face and prepare them to take on new responsibilities in the future.
Laissez-Faire Leaders
A more laid-back style of management, laissez-faire leadership puts the power in the hands of the employees. Unfortunately, not all workers possess the self-discipline or experience to handle this degree of autonomy. Over time, productivity and performance may suffer without a strong leader in place to make the big decisions.
Choosing the Right Leadership Style
In general, the best managers provide a strong guiding force in the workplace while taking employee ideas and feelings into account. Additionally, the savvy leader will adjust her managerial style to meet evolving employee needs. For example, entry-level employees may require more attention and handholding while they learn new roles. However, as employees become more experienced, leaders may want to take a step back in order to let workers grow their confidence levels.
At Here’s Help Staffing & Recruitment, we offer a variety of services to aid companies in finding qualified staff. Additionally, we provide various staffing tools and resources to help employers maximize performance and productivity among their current workforce. Call or contact us online for all your staffing needs in the Middletown area. We look forward to hearing from you.