SME Management Styles

Management styles greatly influence the culture of your organisation and its performance.

Management styles matter not only for managing teams within the organisation, but they also influence the organisational culture you are developing and thus communications with clients.

It is common practice to consider management styles on the spectrum of autocratic to democratic with variations in between. However, it also makes sense to narrow down the question of management styles to a few key consideration points that are (based on Mikhailitchenko & Lundstrom, 2006, Leadership and Organisation Development Journal) listed below. We add some consideration points that you can incorporate when working on your management style.

Supervision style: consider the extent to which managers participate in the routine workflow and other activities of their employees. While consistent supervision can help performance, over-doing it can incite tensions (see out other blog post on micro-management). Putting things to a time perspective, matching with organisational goals, and getting some inputs from your colleagues on their needs and expectations regarding supervision can inform your decision. Also, business coaching can help you to find the right balance that fits your organisation.

Decision-making style: to what extent do colleagues participate in decisions that have an effect at firm level or beyond? Is there a team structure for decision-making practices? Which roles are represented in your organisational decision-making (for instance, who are the influencers, gatekeepers, approvers etc.)?

Information sharing: what type of information is shared and with whom, how often? Are there agreed platforms/approaches for information sharing or does it occur at a more ad hoc manner?

Paternalistic style: to what extent is a leader involved in non-work-related matters of their colleagues? Having a personal touch can be helpful but being involved in too many non-work-related matters comes with certain risks, depending on the context.

Some companies work in increasingly complex international environments that influences management styles. HFS Coaching works with Associates who have experience in managing complexity at personal, team, firm, and at an international level.