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Video Synopsis:
Management
Styles II
1. Introduction:
Management styles can be classified in various ways — for example, autocratic, democratic, laissez faire — but in the real world people don't fit into such neat pigeonholes. And often the way they see themselves is not the way others see them.
2. JANICE: AUTOCRAT OR BULLY?:
Janice is a team leader in the admin dept of a busy company. On the face of it Janice is an "autocrat" — the manager who tells you what to do and makes sure you do it. She rejects the idea of involving staff in decision-making.
Despite her tough approach, she's got a reputation for looking after her staff and argues strongly with her own boss for their fair treatment. But she is tough on discipline, gives Geoff a hard time for not producing the report she asked for and is furious with Sarah for covering up for one of her colleagues.
3. SIMON: DEMOCRAT OR AUTOCRAT?:
Simon is in charge of reorganising the department. He sees himself as a democratic manager and prides himself on listening to his staff. But behind the listening image, is there another, tougher side to Simon?
Steve, one of Simon's team, revamps a report without consulting Simon. Simon gets angry and tells him off for it. Another member of staff Simon, has problems with is Viv. Viv is reluctant to change her way of working according to Simon's wishes. Consultation quickly turns to confrontation. Simon ends up telling her to consider her position with the company.
4. RICHARD: LAISSEZ FAIRE OR JUST LAZY?:
Richard is the manager of the entire department. He sets people's goals and targets but intervenes in their work as little as possible — what's called laissez faire management. Richard speaks in glowing terms of his commitment to empowering his staff and his belief in leadership.
But some people feel Richard tries to duck out of difficult jobs, for example, telling staff of the coming move to Scotland. Mel, despairing of finding out what's going on, corners Richard in his office and tells him what she thinks of him. When another tricky decision is to be made, Richard vanishes. Later, it turns out, he was hiding in the executive toilet!
5. TONY: BORN AGAIN?:
Tony Spence is an infamous manager, well-known for his aggressive, foul-mouthed attitude to staff. But now he's had a dramatic change of heart. A religious experience has led him to take a more forgiving approach.
In the past, if a member of staff was a couple of minutes late, he hurled abuse at them. Now he looks at the results, rather than worrying about people's behaviour. But salesman Todd proves a challenge even to Tony's new charitable approach. Todd is continually coming in late. His excuses include his cat being sick. At last, Tony's patience snaps. In a furious outburst he sacks him.
Running time: 39 mins (Produced in 2003)
Video Summary:
Four managers at work.