Management Skills: Leading And Motivating

Question 1

Leading

Answer 1

The ability to effectively assist and influence other people to go in a direction and achieve an agreed goal

Question 2

What does leading involve

Answer 2

1. Providing direction
2. Setting an example
3. Delegating work
4. Personal charisma

Question 3

Leadership styles

Answer 3

Autocratic
Democratic
Laissez faire

Question 4

Autocratic leader

Answer 4

Makes all the decisions and issues orders that must be followed. They have little trust in their employees, do not delegate and may enforce their authority through fear or threats

Question 5

Democratic leader

Answer 5

Communicates with and supports employees, values their input and frequently delegates tasks. However responsibility ultimately lies with the leader

Question 6

Laissez faire leader

Answer 6

Has considerable trust in the abilities of their staff and is content to delegate many tasks and responsibilities. They outline the goals of the business but allow the employees to decide how they are best achieved.

Question 7

Delegation

Answer 7

Involves assigning subordinates the authority, responsibility and accountability for specific areas of work

Question 8

Advantages of delegation

Answer 8

• time management
• reduced stress, employee gains experience
• increased enployee motivation/ empowerment
•more skilled workforce

Question 9

Disadvantages of poor delegation

Answer 9

• poor time management
• additional stress
• decreased morale
• missed deadlines, drop in productivity

Question 10

Motivation

Answer 10

The willingness of people to work hard. It is what drives, influences and encourages people to work towards a goal.

Question 11

The two theory’s of motivation

Answer 11

1. Maslows theory of motivation: Hierarchy of needs
2. McGregors theory of motivation: Theory X and Theory Y

Question 12

Maslows Theory of Motivation: Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 12

Believes that people are motivated to satisfy their needs and that by understanding this, their behaviour can be influenced.
In this order:
1. Physical/ physiological needs
2. Safety needs
3. Social needs
4. Esteem needs
5. Self-actualisation needs

Question 13

Advantages of Maslows Hierarchy of needs

Answer 13

• Recognises that employees have motivations other than money
• Undertands people’s needs change over time
• provides managers with insights into how to motivate employees who are at differing levels

Question 14

Limitations of Maslows hierarchy of needs

Answer 14

•Not ‘one size fits all’; an individual employees need may not occur in that order
• All needs are not of equal value to the business
• Motivated by different needs at different stages of their career