Popular Management Styles

1. Autocratic or Authoritarian: This style encompasses top-down management, where one person is in charge without question on this authority. Also known as totalitarianism, or dictatorship, this style forges an atmosphere of discipline. It also eliminates creative space and can cause dissatisfaction among employees. Employees are considered a replaceable resource, and the concept of “employee satisfaction” holds little importance to management. Although this management concept is unpopular in current social atmospheres, it can be effective with quick decisions need to be made, especially during a crisis, or when it becomes necessary to control large numbers of low-skilled workers.
2. Paternalistic: Although this management style also is top-down and involves one individual, that individual cares more about employees than in outcomes and profit. Therefore, this manager also believes in bottom-up communication. While “employee satisfaction” is important, the manager supplies needs without providing rights and responsibilities. Lack of consistency, making promises that cannot be kept, and avoidance of negative situations can be downfalls for this type of management concept.
3. Democratic: In this management style, the manager allows employees to voice opinions and takes those opinions into consideration. This management style also incorporates an “open door” policy to ensure that management and employees communicate both ways. Usually, management voices options and solicits employee feedback, which can look friendlier and can reduce conflicts. The downside is the decisions made may not be best for company, because staff may not have enough knowledge about business. Also, this type of management style can be time-consuming.
4. Laissez-faire: The opposite of micromanagement, laissez-faire management often can create chaos. Rather than trying to control every detail, the laissez-faire manager allows employees to make most of the decisions on their own. This management style can create “ownership” feelings among staff and lower management, which can lead to success. It also can free the manager for other details. However, this management style also can create issues of disorganization and discontent among employees who might seek leadership to resolve conflict issues.
5. Servant Leadership: Developed by Robert K. Greenleaf (1904-1990), this management style focuses on humble managers who are extremely talented at tapping into an organization’s expertise. The highest priority of a servant leader is to encourage, support and enable subordinates to unfold their full potential and abilities. This type of leadership style could lead to high employee identification with an enterprise, leading to the development of a corporate culture. However, there are few leaders who can fulfill the attributes required in this management style.
6. Management by Walking Around (MBWA): Dave Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, developed this management style which believes in the manager walking around the office and interacting with the employees. Managers using this style to gather as much information as possible so that a challenging situation doesn’t turn into a larger problem. MBWA benefits managers by providing unfiltered, real-time information about processes and policies that is often left out of formal communication channels. A potential concern of MBWA is that the manager will second-guess employees’ decisions. One downside is that MBWA poses the threat of the manager losing authority as the employees feel that they can run the business.

Organizational Management Styles

1. Management by Coaching and Development (MBCD): The manager becomes a coach in this style, creating a learning experience for employees. This is a popular style currently, as it moves people to the jobs that fit them, and encourages them to succeed. In this situation, skills required to succeed in a given role must be clearly defined.
2. Management by Competitive Edge (MBCE): The concept of healthy competition is necessary for this management style. All employees are encouraged to compete with each other in this environment, with the help of rewards and recognition strategies that honor the winners. This style is giving way to the prior style, which encourages all employees to do their best as a team.
3. Management by Consensus (MBC): Similar to democratic management methods, this style encourages employees to buy into a group solidarity or sentiment. Decision-making becomes a political process instead of a merit-based process with the pace and outcome controlled by the least flexible and most obdurate participants. Many observers today believe that this type of management degrades decision quality at the business level, because the goal becomes identifying a solution that is the least offensive to all stakeholders rather than choosing the course of action that is most beneficial to the enterprise.
4. Management by Decision Models (MBDM): This is a popular military style of management, where decision models are prepared from hypothetical situations in order to serve as a precedent. This kind of a plan of action can work many a time; however, in case of a contingency, it would fail.
5. Management by Exception (MBE): In this management style, the concept of delegation is highly regarded. Each manager delegates as much responsibility and authority down the line as far as possible, and steps in only when difficulties arise, or at the endpoint as the responsible person. This type of management can be powerful when it is necessary to process lots of data in order to make managerial decisions. The problem with this policy is that it can result in myopic behavior within lower management as they can concentrate only on assigned tasks.
6. Management by Information Systems (MBIS): This management style, also known as Information Systems Management, is based upon results generated from a database. This style can provide effective analysis of a situation, and can increase efficiency. While the computerized model can make decision-making processes more efficient, the danger lies in losing track of the human aspect in the process.
7. Management by Matrices (MBM): Also known as Matrix Management, this style consists of decisions and policies made with reference to charts and variables that show how to build teams based upon similar work patterns. This style can allow for specialization that can increase depth of knowledge across teams. However, employees can become confused with conflicting loyalties, because this process is not project-oriented, and projects can become difficult to monitor if teams are expected to maintain independence.
8. Management by Organizational Development (MBOD): This management style is similar to the popular paternalistic management style in that managers work on improving communication — the difference is that management takes profit into account. Also known as “change management,” this style is an ongoing, systematic process of implementing effective organizational change.
9. Management by Performance (MBP): Performance management puts emphasis on organizational effectiveness by developing the capacity to perform and by rating that performance. Profitability becomes a derivative of performance. This management is similar to management by competitive edges, as rewards and recognition are key elements, but the entire organization also is rewarded with higher profits and teamwork recognition.

The good news is that you don’t have to rely solely on natural, inborn traits. It is possible to develop the qualities good managers possess. You can complete a management program to learn some of the necessary characteristics, and you can also develop many desirable qualities on your own. As you prepare for a job in management, keep in mind these 25 qualities and characteristics of a good manager:

Personal Characteristics

There are items that can help you improve yourself, and enhance your interactions with others. Desirable personal characteristics make a manager someone that others can look up to, and feel comfortable following:

1. Self-Motivation: An effective manager can’t motivate others if he or she can’t self-motivate. Self-motivation, the ability to get yourself going, and take charge of what’s next for you, is a vital personal characteristic for a manager. You have to keep yourself going — and motivate those who work with you.
2. Integrity: People trust a good manager because they know he or she has personal integrity. Workers need to know that you will fight for them, do what you say, and follow the rules.
3. Dependability/Reliability: As a person, you should be dependable and reliable. Your superiors, as well as your subordinates, need to know that you can be counted on. Others in the organization should be able to rely on you.
4. Optimism: Do you look to the future with hope? An optimistic attitude can help build morale in your employees. Your positive attitude can inspire others, and help them feel good about getting things done.
5. Confidence: Do you have confidence in yourself. You need to be able to make decisions in confidence, and show others that you are capable of making good decisions. Your confidence will rub off on others, and can be of benefit.
6. Calmness: As the manager, you can’t afford to break down when the pressure is on. The ability to remain calm and do what needs to be done is essential in a good manager.
7. Flexibility: A certain amount of flexibility is needed by a manager, since he or she may need to adapt to changing situations.

Business Characteristics

Some level of business acumen is important when you are a manager. While you may not need to be on the level of a professional dealmaker, familiarity with basic business principles and practices can be helpful.

8. Industry Knowledge: What do you know about the industry you are in? It helps understand your industry so that you can answer questions and perform your work more effectively. Workers may not need industry knowledge, but a manager should have some.
9. Know When to Delegate: An effective manager knows that some tasks need to be delegated. You should be able to identify workers who will do well, and give them tasks they can succeed at — while helping the project.
10. Organization: You need to be organized in order to be a good manager. Keep track of projects, employees and assignments so that you are on top of what needs to happen in the business.
11. Basic Money Management: Understand basic financial concepts so that you understand how to manage money as part of a project you have been given.
12. Business Hierarchy: You should know how the hierarchy works at your business, and follow the chain of command. Make sure that you understand your duties, and to whom you report. You should also know how the organization affects your subordinates.
13. Legal Implications: While you don’t need to be a law expert, you should have a grasp of the legal implications of sexual harassment, proper hiring and firing practices, confidentiality, and more.

Communication Qualities

A good manager needs to be able to communicate effectively. You might be surprised at the different qualities there are related to communication. Make sure that you develop the ability to communicate as part of your efforts. Here are some qualities to possess if you want to be an affective communicator as you fulfill your management duties.

14. Written Communication: Learn how to communicate effectively in writing. A good manager should be able to write professionally and with correct grammar, expressing him or herself in email, memos, and thank you notes.
15. Public Speaking: As a good manager, you should know how to speak publicly, annunciating your words, and concisely communicating your ideas, whether in an interview, or addressing workers.
16. Constructive Feedback: Learn how to provide feedback in a way that is helpful to workers and others.
17. Active Listening: One of the most important communication skills is listening. Make sure you are listening to your workers, superiors and customers, and that you acknowledge them.
18. Specific: When giving instructions, be specific in what you want, and in expected outcomes. Make sure your employees understand what should happen.
19. Organize Your Presentations: Organize and practice your presentations before giving them so that you are clear and concise, and so that your presentation flows well.

Relationship Qualities

Your characteristics as you build relationships matter when you are a manager. You will need to know how to manage relationships between yourself and your subordinates, as well as manage the relationships among those who work under you. You should also know how to develop relationships with your superiors, and coordinate relationships between those above you and below you in the hierarchy.

20. Customer Service: You might be surprised to discover the customer service is a relationship quality. However, it is. You need to be able to build good relationships with customers if you want to be a good manager. Learn how to relate to customers, and see things from their perspective.
21. Mediator: Do you know how to make peace? Often, a good manager needs to be able to act as a mediator between workers, between a worker and a client, or between a superior and a worker. Brush up on your mediation qualities, and learn conflict resolution techniques to be a good manager.
22. Team Player: Are you part of a team? You need to be able to function as part of a team if you want to succeed as an effective manager. Make sure that you are willing to work with others, and that you will hold up your end.
23. Respect: You need to be respectful of your workers if you are to have respect as a manager in return. It’s up to you to set the example and build relationships of respect.
24. Collaboration: You’ll need to set up collaborations with others, and with your team. You should also be able to work well with others, and understand how to integrate ideas and personalities.
25. Value Others: A good manager helps employees feel valued. Surveys show that employees want recognition from their superiors, and you need to make sure to recognize contributions from your workers.

Individual Gurus

1. Chris Abraham: Chris is an expert in social media and digital PR and president of Abraham Harrison, LLC.
2. Daniel Ariely: A psychology professor who focuses on behavioral economics at Duke University and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight (MIT).
3. Ken Blanchard: Ken is a speaker, business guru and author of over 50 books, including The One Minute Manager.
4. Stephen R. Covey: Steven is the author of the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
5. Peter Drucker: A well-known management thinker, Peter Drucker is the premier business consultant mind of our times.
6. Cornelius Fichtner: Cornelius is a project manager, PMP trainer, host of The PM Podcast, public speaker and a “gummi bear addict.”
7. Umair Haque: Umair Haque is Director of the Havas Media Lab and author of The New Capitalist Manifesto: Building a Disruptively Better Business.
8. Alexandra L Harris: Follow Alexandra for insights into the Delphi Leadership Institute’s inspirational leadership education and research.
9. Joan Henshaw: Joan is a managing employee performance coach who helps business owners and managers improve employee performance.
10. Roberta Hill: Roberta is a global leadership OD change consultant, master certified coach and assessment guru.
11. John C Maxwell: John is a bestselling author and speaker on leadership with over 220,000 followers.
12. Mike Morrison: Mike is a training, L&D, coaching and OD professional out of London, with over 12,000 followers.
13. Josh Nankivel: Josh is helping new and aspiring project managers reach their career goals including gaining experience, education, PMP certification, and more.
14. Tom Peters: Tom is a noted author, speaker and “professional agitator.”
15. Daniel Pink: Daniel is the author of Drive, A Whole New Mind, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko and Free Agent Nation.
16. Michael E. Porter: Porter is Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School and director, Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness.
17. Fiona Talbot: Fiona helps companies and their leaders across the globe with her word power expertise, book series and e-support.
18. Mark Walsh: Mark, an “embodied training manager with over 17,000 followers,” offers useful, funny and challenging Tweets about HR, leadership, stress, time management, team building and communication.
19. Daniel K Wentzel: With over 35,000 followers, Daniel has made his mark as a skills development coach for management and ICT systems.
20. Mary Wilson: Mary is a career coach, HR/OD consultant and trainer, “working to make the world a better place.”

Organizations and Institutions

21. AMA: American Management Association is the world leader in management development, advancing your skills to boost your business success.
22. APM Project Management: This is the professional body for the project management industry in the UK.
23. CIPD: The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is Europe’s largest HR & development professional body.
24. Common Purpose: This registered charity runs leadership development courses internationally from the UK.
25. Ethical Corporation: Nick Johnson and Toby Webb Tweet about CSR, sustainability and anti-corruption opinion, news and events from the UK.
26. Leadership Institute: The Leadership Institute trains and places conservatives in politics, government and media and, in the process, hopes to increase the effectiveness of conservative activists.
27. Management Tip: Get quick and practical management tips and ideas from Harvard Business Review.
28. PMI: With over half a million members and credential holders in over 170 countries, Project Management Institute is the leading membership association for the project management profession.
29. Project Management: Integrated Process Developers, Inc. offers project management tips, training and networking.
30. TED News: Get your fill of all the news from leaders at TED, including TED Talks, TED Conferences, the TED Prize and more.
31. The Fraser Institute: This is the account for Canada’s leading public policy think tank and its commumnications department.

Guru Tools

32. Blanchard LeaderChat: Program director, David Witt, compiles this conversation for the Ken Blanchard Companies.
33. Business Wire: Monika Maeckle, VP/New Media and Amy Yen, Marketing Specialist are helping BW celebrate its 50th year as the global leader in press release distribution.
34. ExecTweets: Follow the top business executives on Twitter, thanks to Microsoft.
35. Focus: Focus is an online resource where professionals can freely access the research and expert advice they need to make better business decisions.
36. HBR Exchange: Engage with business pros throughout the Twitterverse — create, debate and foster cutting-edge ideas through a service provided by Harvard Business Review.
37. MeetTheBoss.Tv: Become the complete executive with exclusive video and audio lessons from the world’s most innovative and influential business leaders.
38. OPEN Forum: This is the official American Express OPEN Twitter account, where you can tap into the collective ingenuity of other business owners.
39. Team Builders Plus: Team Builders Plus leads engaging team building and leadership development sessions.
40. Twitter Business: Get great management and leadership ideas from this account, designed for business, community groups, government organizations and schools.

Publication Gurus

42. Businessweek: Bloomberg BusinessWeek stories and blog posts on business, finance, technology and more.
43. Fast Company: Fast Company empowers innovators to challenge convention and create the future of business.
44. Guardian Business: Latest financial, market and economic news and analysis from the Guardian’s business desk.
45. McGraw-Hill Business: Global publishers of content for professionals in finance, marketing, six sigma, quality and management.
46. McKinsey Quarterly: The goal is to offer new ways of thinking about management in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.
47. New Business Books: Tweets about new business book releases on the day of their publication.
48. NYT Small Business: A place where small-business owners can compare notes, ask questions, get advice, and learn from each other’s mistakes.
49. The Economist: Official site for The Economist. Follow for article postings, updates and events.
50. WSJ Business: The Wall Street Journal provides timely business news coverage.

Management Blogs

Learn more about business management. Includes a number of blogs related to different management issues, including human resources.

1. Work Matters: Bob Sutton offers helpful insights on managing others.
2. Robert Saloman’s Blog: This NYU associate professor offers a look at management.
3. Workplace Prof Blog: A helpful blog for those interested in workplace management.
4. Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog: This Canadian professor shares insight into workplace law and practice.
5. Supply Chain View from the Field: This MBA professor discusses supply chain management.

Economics and Finance Blogs

In order to succeed in business, it helps to have a solid understanding of how the economy works, as well as knowing about finance. Even personal finance can provide insight into business.

6. The Deal Professor: Learn more about business financing, mergers and acquisitions and more.
7. Managerial Econ: A great blog analyzing the economics of business practice.
8. Greg Mankiw’s Blog: This economics professor offers one of the best takes on the economy.
9. Truth on the Market: This blog addresses economics, business and even law. Authors include professors.
10. Marginal Revolution: Looks at markets and economics.
11. The Big Questions: This economics professor looks at finance, business, law and more on this site.
12. Organizations and Markets: These professors take a look at business and the way the markets work.
13. Financial Literacy and Ignorance: A look at personal finance — and what people don’t know about it.
14. ProfessorVC: A great look at entrepreneurial finance.
15. Wealth Management Prof Blog: A look at wealth management.

Marketing Blogs

Marketing is an essential part of business. Learn more about marketing, and its role in keeping the engine of business rolling.

16. MarketingProfs: A great blog that can help you get a handle of the world of marketing. Authored by several marketing professors.
17. Technology & Marketing Law Blog: This great blog addresses marketing from law and technology standpoints.
18. Dr. Neil Hair: This marketing professor shares his thoughts.
19. Life is a Sandbox: Elaine is an assistant dean of business and an associate professor of marketing at Champlain College.
20. Brandthroposophy: Marketing professor Robert Kozinets offers insight on marketing, social media and research.

Law Blogs

Business law is an interesting field, and one that you should be aware of. In order to make sure that your business practices are on the level, it can help to have a look at business law. This section also includes some business ethics blogs.

21. The Conglomerate: Various professors blog about the intersection of law with business and economics.
22. Business Law Prof Blog: A great blog edited by a few business law professors.
23. Corporate Law and Governance: Get a U.K. perspective on business and law.
24. FCPA Professor: An interesting blog by a business law professor. It addresses the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
25. The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation: An insightful blog related to business, law and finance. A great look at business law issues.
26. M & A Law Prof Blog: Commentary on the issues and laws related to mergers and acquisitions.
27. Nancy Rapoport’s Blogspot: Learn more about governance, law and business.
28. The Race to the Bottom: A look at business regulation and law. A collaboration between faculty and students.
29. Securities Law Prof Blog: Another great blog related to corporate law.

Technology Blogs

Technology plays an increasingly large role in business. Learn about the intersection of business and technology from these professors.

30. Tom Davenport: This professor at Babson College blogs for the Harvard Business Review and addresses issues related to technology and information.
31. billso.com: You can get great information on mobile computing and information systems, as it relates to business management.
32. Andrew McAfee’s Blog: Learn about IT and the business impact it has.
33. Technology and Organizations: How technology relates to organizations.
34. The Week in Geek: A look at the intersection of technology and business strategy from a management professor.
35. Open IT Strategies: More on IT, business and technology.
36. information aesthetics: While not strictly a business blog, this blog offer helpful information that can help you incorporate better technology with business.

Leadership and Strategy Blogs

Get valuable insight about what it takes to be a leader, and the importance of business strategy. Helpful hints and plenty of solid insight.

37. Professor Michael Roberto’s Blog: This blog offers great insights into decision making and leadership.
38. Sustainable Business Design: An interesting look at how you can be a leader in sustainable business.
39. Yoko Ishikura’s Blog: Learn about corporate strategy, with a touch of international business.
40. The Blog of Professor Jeffrey D. Ford: A great look at leadership from this professor whose blog is hosted by BestThinking.
41. Call of the Wild Blog: This corporate development blog addresses leadership, team building and more.

International Business Blogs

If you are interested in international business, you can learn from these professors. Keep up with international business issues and news.

42. Business Exposed: This associate professor in Strategic & International Management at the London Business School has the inside scoop on what’s really going on.
a href=”http://macrobuddies.blogspot.com/”>Macrobuddies: A look at macroeconomics. Includes global economic commentary.
43. The Blog of Prof. Czinkota: Includes information on international business and strategy.
44. Prof. Jayanth R. Varma’s Financial Markets Blog: Follow news about business in India and around the world.
45. Grasping Reality with Both Hands: Brad DeLong offers insight on the global economy and international business.

Business School and Education Blogs

Get helpful insights on business school, and business education, from these professors and deans who can offer ideas of what to expect, while making observations about current business trends.

47. DeansTalk: These business deans talk about education and business management.
48. Value Competition: This is an academic blog from a Rutgers Business School faculty member.
49. Build Brand You: A great blog on careers for business students from a member of of the Rutgers staff.
50. Robert F. Bruner, Dean: Read the blog of the University of Virgina Daden School of Business.

From Sloan School of Management at MIT

1. Optimization Methods in Management Science: This undergraduate level class introduces students to the theory, algorithms and applications of optimization.
2. Management Communications for Undergraduates: This class gives undergraduate level students an introduction to communicating effectively as a manager.
3. Managerial Psychology: Learn to use theories of psychology in your job as a manager. You’ll learn to motivate appropriately and deal with problems in an effective manner.
4. Introduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting: A great class for the manager who needs to learn a bit about how managerial accounting and reporting works.
5. Law for the Entrepreneur and Manager: A great basic business law class for managers and small business owners. Learn what you need to know to keep your company out of legal trouble.
6. People and Organizations: This course outlines today’s major challenges facing the management profession and uses interactive exercises, simulations and problems to develop critical skills in negotiations, teamwork and leadership.
7. Operations Management: A great course for managers in the manufacturing environment. It introduces concepts and techniques for design, planning and control of manufacturing and service operations.
8. Economic Analysis for Business Decisions: This graduate level course gives students a working knowledge of the analytical tools that bear most directly on the economic decisions firms must regularly make.
9. Applied Economics for Managers: This graduate level course teaches students to understand how economists model the choice process of individual consumers and firms, and how markets work to coordinate these choices.
10. Communicating with Data: This graduate course teaches techniques of using data to make informed management decisions with illustrations of how real decision makers, even highly trained professionals, fall prey to errors and biases in their understanding.
11. Competitive Decision Making and Negotiation: This course is centered on twelve negotiation exercises that simulate competitive business situations. Students learn about distributive and mixed motive bargaining, among other techniques.
12. Global Strategy and Organization: This course provides students with the conceptual tools necessary to understand and work effectively in today’s interconnected business world.
13. Communication for Managers: Teaches writing and speaking skills necessary for a management position.
14. Leadership and Personal Effectiveness Coaching Seminar: This seminar gives students opportunities to hone business communication skills through activities. It is an adjunct to the course listed above.
15. Advanced Managerial Communication: Advanced course in managerial communications.
16. Building and Leading Effective Teams: This course is a must for hiring managers. It is an intensive one week course on building a great team and leading it.
17. Listening to the Customer: A must for managers who lead teams in customer facing jobs. It teaches students to ask the right questions to find out what they really need to know through customer surveys.
18. Practical Leadership: Watch students hone their leadership skills by performing practice business scenarios. This is a graduate level course.

From Yale

19. Understanding Financial Markets:This course is a great one for managers during today’s difficult financial times. It covers “the theory of finance and its relation to the history, the strengths and imperfections of such institutions as banking, insurance, securities, futures, and other derivatives markets, and the future of these institutions over the next century.”

From the International Institute of Management

20. Quality Management Systems: The International Institute of Management offers several courses on Quality Management Systems and Management, including case studies for your review.

With these and other open courseware classes you can find, you’re sure to be able to improve your management skills so that you can land that promotion, or so that you can make the most of the job you already have. It is amazing the wealth of knowledge that is available to you for free!

From this point, the only other thing one can do is get the tons of experience needed in order to become a strong voice in this sector. There are several different aspects to this field and they include economics, ethics, and legal studies, as well as health care management. A PhD in Management is very specific to this area of study, but it is usually broken down into the different sections for ease and specialization of study. Some of the more interesting sections of the degree include the strategy and statistics options. These are among the least favorite due to the amount of study that needs to go into every course. The main target of the course is those who are interested in pursuing this course from an educational perspective. This means that after they have been awarded the degree, the main agenda is to teach and or lecture at the different institutions.

A PhD in Management is an excellent crown on any person’s study life or career and should be sought after by as many people as possible. In as much as the course content may not be palatable to all and sundry, this is a good course for both those interested in teaching and the institutes. The more PhD programs a university is able to handle then the better for the university. The PhD in Management is for all those interested in career improvement and advancement.

In short, for a person to hold a faculty position in an institution, this is one of the more relevant degrees. It is not a must for a person to hold this qualification, but it does indeed make it easier. The more PhD-wielding employees and/or lecturers a business school has, then the better for its rankings and the students who walk through its doors.

This is a research-oriented course, so for all those that may not be interested in doing quite a bit of reading then this course should be given a wide berth. The PhD in Management is a course most of us should actively seek out in order to take our careers to the highest possible height.