Leadership Versus Traditional Management

Back to News

The workplace is changing as more businesses look for innovative solutions to attract and retain talent, increase performance and excel in a competitive market. As a result, the traditional hierarchal management style is slowly evolving into a more collaborative way of working.

This approach aims to empower employees, enhance mental ability and skill and improve communication between management and workers. More and more companies are going this way, as corporate meetings and strategy sessions are being replaced by brainstorming, ‘crowdsourcing’, team building and training. We’re seeing flatter, more collaborative leadership styles as companies find ways to encourage creativity, productivity and overall happiness in the workplace.

Here’s a comparative look at the major differences between traditional and collaborative leadership styles in management.

According to a survey conducted by Interact, 69% of managers are often uncomfortable communicating with their employees, while 37% admitted to being uncomfortable giving direct feedback about an employee’s performance. This is a direct contrast to what employees want, with 72% admitting that their performance would improve if their managers provided constructive criticism and positive feedback.

Additionally, a research study on American employees from Gallup found that 50% resign due to bad management. The study continues to show that having a ‘bad’ boss creates unhappiness in the office, adding stress and spreading negativity to their home life and families. According to the survey, “workers feel like they’re given little guidance for understanding what’s expected of them.”

As companies move towards creating a more collaborative workspace, the old hierarchal system seems to be on its way out for companies that are open to change and willing to become more flexible and understanding.

Leadership Trends Emerging in the Workplace

Understanding employee skills– As an individual, it is important to know your own abilities. As a manager, you need to understand and cultivate the skills and superpowers of the members of your team. The key here is to observe your team members closely and make notes of their strengths, weaknesses and unique qualities. Once you know enough about each team member, you can delegate tasks according to their skills and passion.

Implementing an open-door policy– Again, it is important to open the lines of communication within your team. A manager must be viewed as a trustworthy mentor as opposed to a boss. Make yourself 100% accessible to all employees. This could involve sharing your cell phone number or making your calendar public so that people know when to schedule meetings with you.

Creating core values that everyone believes in– Creating core values within the company and team will help drive daily decisions and set short and long-term goals. Through solid core values, your team members will make good decisions and thrive as a result. Diversity and inclusion are two of the most crucial values for any business. It can be difficult to gauge these values from the top, so think about using a diversity and inclusion survey. DIVRSITY is the UK's leading Diversity and Inclusion Survey Platform. Visit their website to find out how their tools can help you to become a better manager.

Setting employees up for success– A good manager ensures that his/her team has everything they need to succeed. Foster a sense of development and growth within your organisation and help them with goal setting and prioritising. Providing employees with the right tools will help them succeed in their roles.

Tips for Implementing a More Collaborative Leadership Style

• Encourage growth– Good employees are keen to learn and grow within their company. Welcome and encourage your staff to develop their skills, give input and gain new experiences. Training programs and courses will help your employees who want to expand their skills and roles within the company
• Change your habits– The secret to success is developing good habits that make workflow more efficient and employees more productive. Leaders should be good role models to their staff. By setting a good example, your employees will follow suit.
• Communication is key– As the statistics show, communication is the core of any organisation. Try to encourage open communication between yourself and your employees and try to eradicate any feelings of intimidation or fear from your staff. Create an environment of respect and acceptance.

Traditional management has served businesses well for many decades, but competition is at an all-time high. New leadership styles are emerging to ensure your company evolves with the industry. You could improve your standing in today’s challenging economic times by changing the norm. Or you could be left behind.

Collaborative leadership has become the future of business because it addresses concerns on all levels and offers solutions that lead to improved productivity and satisfaction and, ultimately, increased business opportunities.