Are you an aspiring business leader? It’s an admirable and achievable pursuit. But what kind of leader will you be?  

All leaders have a management style. According to HRZone, management styles are “the principles that underline the methods, abilities and techniques managers use in handling situations and expressing leadership within an organisation.” 

If you want to pursue a leadership role in an organization, whether you’re already working for that organization or plan to, it’s not too soon to think about the kind of leader you want to be—and whom you might be leading. The core of today’s workforce are millennials, i.e., people born between 1981 and 1996. This generation has always had internet access as part of their work environment. In some cases, that work environment has been their home, as more employers have allowed employees to work remotely.  

When developing a management style, it’s important to remember that millennials have their own generationally informed values and expectations. For example, millennials like to give back. Almost three in four have donated money during the COVID-19 pandemic. And while about 70% of Americans overall give to charitable causes, approximately 85% of millennials give money for philanthropic purposes. There is an acknowledged desire to contribute to the greater good.  

How does philanthropy connect with leadership? Your primary workforce may expect you and your organization to make compassion, social responsibility, and charitable giving a priority. Millennials are also looking for a collaborative environment where they feel their contributions matter. Employees in this generation often consider flexibility (i.e., flexible hours, the ability to work from home) a must and want to be given the tools and training they need to thrive, which they see as a clear indication that their company wants them to succeed.  

Different Approaches to Managing People 
You’ll find that there are many management styles and many ways to describe them. Let’s examine some of these management styles, in no particular order, and begin to explore what kind of leader you might want to be.  

The Autocratic Approach 
Take control and keep it. Make all key decisions yourself. You may consult with others, but ultimately, it’s all up to you. You must also stay very directly involved in everything your team is doing. This doesn’t necessarily mean micromanaging your employees, but rather staying tapped in to the status of all projects. 

The Hands-Off Approach 
Sit back and let your people do what they do best, with minimal interference from you. If you’ve hired the right people, you may be surprised at what they can achieve when management steps out of the way. 

The Big Picture Approach 
Focus on the overall direction of your team or organization and let your people deal with the day-to-day specifics that will help make your vision a reality. 

The Influential Approach 
Show your people, in a positive way, why your vision and direction will ultimately benefit them and your organization. If you can create a clear picture for them, they will come over to your side. 

The Motivational Approach 
Motivate your team through the judicious use of rewards such as bonuses and other incentives. This shows them in very tangible ways that you value their efforts and find them worthy of acknowledgement. 

The Cooperative Approach  
Be a member of your team as much as its leader. Work together to find solutions to problems and develop effective strategies for success. 

The Coach Approach  
Envision your staff as a team with you as its coach. Guide and mentor them, helping them improve their “game” and working as a cohesive unit driving toward the same goal. 

What is the best management style? That depends not just on your own personal preferences but on the makeup of your team. There is no “best” choice. Every team has a unique dynamic that’s based upon the specific individuals who are part of it. Change one person and you can completely change the team dynamic. An effective leader “takes the temperature” of his or her team and makes adjustments accordingly, making it impossible to rely on any single management style as a one-size-fits-all solution.  

How to Prepare for Management Roles 
Leadership is an intrinsic quality that can be cultivated and brought out. Oftentimes, it’s a formal education that helps us transition from a person with leadership qualities to a true leader. 

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Our business program is one of a select few in the nation to be accredited by the respected Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Only 5% of the world’s business programs can claim this distinction. 

We designed our program to build an in-depth theoretical understanding and practical, working knowledge of business and leadership fundamentals. It will help you strengthen your ability to think strategically and execute functional components of corporate operations, as well as improve your decision-making skills and your ability to apply business concepts in real-world scenarios.  

Advantages of Our Online Program 
Our Bachelor of Business Administration in Management is presented 100% online through asynchronous courses. This enables you to complete your coursework anywhere, 24/7, on your own schedule. If you’re currently working, have ongoing family responsibilities, or both, you’ll find this flexibility to be a tremendous advantage. Most of our program courses last just eight weeks. When you’re finished, your BBA provides a respected educational credential that can help you in your current and future professional endeavors in practically any business sector. 

Develop leadership qualities that can help you gear your management style to today’s workforce with an online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management! 

Sources: 

https://www.workzone.com/blog/management-styles/
https://www.valamis.com/hub/management-styles
https://www.hatchbuck.com/blog/top-5-things-millennials-want-workplace/
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/what-do-millennials-want-and-expect-to-get-from-work/