Different styles of business management

There are several different types of business management styles. Some people manage based on their experience; others manage based on their people skills. Dealing with several personality types is one of the most challenging tasks for a manager. Being able to blend those personalities into a working team is essential for the business to reach the next level.

Some managers follow the role of being in control. While it is important for a manager to be in control, obsession with control can often lead to disgruntled staff. Part of being a manger entails learning how to relinquish control a little bit. When the company begins to grow, a manger must learn how to trust their employees. This is one of the hardest tasks a manager must learn to deal with because most managers worry that their employees will not be able to do things as effectively as they can.

There is another style of management that has been looked upon as the essential ingredient a company needs. This style of management is when you act as the manager and you are in charge, but you give your employees individual responsibilities that cause them to look upon the business as their own. Placing the responsibility back on the employees is a simple way to teach them how to run a business. Instead of giving them a sheet that evaluates their performance, ask them to fill out a sheet instead rating where they feel they have excelled and where they need some improvement. Then you can discuss the differences you may have noticed to help point them in the right direction to improve their performance and eventually improving their chance to receive a promotion.

With all the different business management styles out there, there is not a right or wrong way to manage your employees. Most of it comes down to your personality and what you feel comfortable with. Here are a few tools you need to have if you want to become a successful business manager:

• Open-door policy. As a manager, you need to be available for your employees. One of the worst things a manager can do is to take off a lot of time, show up late, or leave early. While you can do this once and awhile, employees will become frustrated with you if you aren't at work because they cannot get a hold of you to approve projects or answer questions. If you cannot make it into the office, always make sure your employees can get a hold of you in case they need you.


• Thick skin. Managers take a lot of criticism. You need to lead a group of people and they are not always going to agree with you. Be prepared to receive a lot of criticism from employees and use their opinions to help you become a better business manager.


• Listen. A good manager needs to listen to his/her employees. Sometimes your employees don't want to listen to you talk all the time and they just need you to listen to them without offering advice. Write down a few notes after you talk to them so you can re-address some issues in a couple weeks to see how your employees are coming along with the concerns they have had.


• Laugh. Managers need to have a sense of humor to build relationships with their employees. Laughter is a wonderful way to break tension and to allow employees to relax and just enjoy their job. Working in a relaxed work environment will allow your employees to appreciate their jobs and improve their performance.