Leadership can often be confused with management however there is a different. ‘Management is the running of an organisation or part of it, consisting of three main components: an organisational skill, an entrepreneurial sense, and the ability to get the best out of followers.’ (Oxford Dictionary,2009) ‘Leadership is the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.’ The difference between the two is in the way the manager or leader works with other people, a leader is very much a part of a team and will communicate informally and is there to motivate and encourage the team. A manager however is usually separate from a team and is in charge of it and analyses it; the relationship is more formal and it is the managers responsibility to meet targets and organise the team to reach these. There are many sorts of leadership styles: autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire. Autocratic leading is when a person has power and will tell the rest of the team what they need to do and they have to go and do it; this is a very managerial style. Democratic is when both the followers and leaders are involved in the decision making and the tasks and problems are solved together. Liaise-faire is very laid back approach and the leader will let the team do what needs to be done in their own time and in their own way.
Managerial Grid
Blake and Mouton (1964) used a grid to define two main behavioural factors of management.
· Concern for people- this is how much the leader considers the needs of the team, their interests and personal development
· Concern for production- this is the amount a leader emphasises high productivity, efficiency and objectives when challenging a task.
There are five leadership methods produced from the grid, each will behavioural differences.
Country club- This leader is usually very concerned about the people they are working with and not so much finishing the task quickly. The leaders concern is about the team being happy and as long as they are then the team will work hard. This usually creates a relaxed working environment.
Produce or Perish – This leader is more concerned about getting a product or task finished quickly at a good standard and the people are just there to do the job. The team’s basic needs are met but there is low concern for them. This leader is very autocratic and strict.
Impoverished – This leader is very ineffective and has no ambitions to get the job done or create a pleasant working environment. The leader has no motivation methods or goals for getting the job done. This results in a work place that is unorganised and employees are unsatisfied.
Middle of road leadership- This is where both the concern for people and productivity is the same. This may seem to be the Ideal balance however when only fulfilling each concern at a medium level not all the needs are fully met. Therefore the team are satisfied with average performance and do not aim higher.
Team leadership – This is where both concerns are very high and the leader aspires to meet both needs. A motivating and pleasant work environment is present and goals and targets are met. The employees are dedicated to the work of the team and the organisation they work for. There is lots of respect for the leader and tasks are met head on with enthusiasm and products are produced to a good standard and relatively quickly.
When working for Fareham School of Gymnastics I feel the head coach Clare Parker was using the team leadership method. I feel she approached her staff in a friendly manor and would allow you time off when you needed it and if other commitments came up. The atmosphere within the gym was quiet but children were still talking and having fun. There are lots of courses that can be taken to keep your knowledge fresh and keep you motivated. There was definitely a high productivity as the club wanted to come back from competitions with medals and get good results from grades. All staff is very committed to the club and there is a lot of respect for Clare and other members of staff.
"Oprah Winfrey is an example of what it takes to be a good leader because with almost every one of her endeavours, she is helping others. While Winfrey is probably most well known for her talk show, she has not let her fame or popularity prevent her from doing good things. In fact, she has used her position to help others in ways that many people are unable to do. Providing aid for orphans in Africa, starting an Angel Network, and opening an academy for girls are just a few examples of how Winfrey is a natural leader that can take almost any idea and turn it into something that will benefit others as well as herself. "
The article above is about Oprah Winfrey being a good leader, the article is very persuasive and correct because Oprah has helped so many people and addresses them in a respectful way. Oprah’s leading method is very democratic as on her T.V. show she does not tell people they are doing something wrong she discusses and helps them to lead a better life and solve the personal problems they have. From the managerial grid Oprah has country club leadership concerns, she is very concerned about people and not so much productivity, however she does host a show and works very hard to keep it on time and at the high entertainment standard it is at. Therefore she may also have a team leader approach to other members in her team at the time. Oprah Winfrey is a very successful woman that had a hard childhood and worked very hard to change her fortune around, therefore is a very good leader to people she works with directly but also the public that watch her show!
In conclusion leadership is different to management however a lot of the difference is in the way the leader approaches the team and therefore not just because of a different job role. There are three types of leader: autocratic, democracy and laisseze faire. Blake and Mouton’s management grid defines how leaders work within the work place. The best type of leader has both high concern for people and productivity and that is ‘Team Leader’. Different work places will require different types of leaders depending on the job or task needing to be achieved.
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Another good blog you have included detailed definitions of management and leadership with appropriate examples. Grid explained in detail and good example given. An interesting leader with good reasoning, well done.
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