There are three major management styles; you may have heard of the Alpha style of management. When you observe a pack of wild dogs you would soon recognise the Alpha male. This is the overtly dominant dog in the pack and all would lie on their stomachs or roll over to offer the unprotected underside of the belly in submission to this dog. In the business world you would also find an Alpha style of management. This authoritative style of decision instruction is exercised by a very dominant male with no consultation or apparent consultation, which is ignored.
When confronted this management style individual would not discuss the issue, but justify the decision. He would invariably find the reason for lack of success in some other individual who did not perform according to the precise instruction given.
Often this is correct, but the reason why this has happened is normally due to a lack of desire to work for an Alpha manager as all employees are there for “his purpose”. A lack of growth or motivation to perform according to potential is present. One would also normally find that 80% of this manager’s staff is seeking alternative employment.
Then there is the Beta style of management, which is most often practiced by woman. This is a consultative and negotiation based leadership style. All decisions are thoroughly discussed and group responsibility is taken over the growth or well being of the members and the business. I have a friend who calls this “La-la” management due to lack of urgency or clear decision-making.
The downside of such management is that time frames and targets are often not adhered to as the desires of the group override the needs of the business. On the other hand this allows a great flow of creativity and buy-in by most staff members and staff turnover is practically non-existent. When things go wrong in this management style there is normally chaos as all fingers point elsewhere for who did not perform optimally or “let us down”. A strong communal emotion is prevalent.
Then there is the third style of management, Omega management or Jesus styled management. This is where decisions are open to discussion within a controlled environment and the responsibility for decisions, are held by an individual, who would provide the guidance and direction.
In this style all views are accepted, but the ultimate responsibility of the decision is taken by one who would also place himself/herself in the firing line for poor results by protecting subordinates. This leader is normally self-assured and has past experience and a depth of knowledge to base the decisions on. He/she is also a dynamic and inspiring leader where such enterprises excel in growth and development. All members are motivated and secure in the knowledge that it is a cooperative effort, yet responsibility rests with the team although decisions are made elsewhere.
We have the same in our lives. We can do what we like as the responsibility for our actions rests with us, but the ultimate decision on our fate rests with someone else who will judge according to our behaviour. This causes individual responsibility within a communal environment as all we do effects someone else. We have an internal locus of control whereas in the Alpha style the modus for behaviour is external and fear driven.
