Two of the Most Popular Approaches to Management Style

It is best to have management style before to execute project.Undoubtedly, management style is chosen according to your organization`s (company`s) culture, personality of executives and so on.If you are a newbie in project management you should learn fundamental management types:top down and bottom-up.

What is top down management?

I think you heard this type but with another name- autocratic leadership.Top down management is the most common form of management. It is hierarchical, with a chief executive office (CEO) who sets the course for the entire company.In top down management, everything from the workplace to the business systems are all determined by upper management, and then it’s passed down the chain of command. Each role is responsible for carrying out the mission as stated by the higher-ups.

Let`s talk about top down managements` advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:Set clear goals and expectations

Senior leaders of projects who used top down management set goals, projects, and tasks that align with the company’s mission and vision and rely on strength, focus, and thoughtfulness. Majority of companies use this style.For example, Trump Organization, Helmsley Hotels and Martha Stewart Living.

Cons:Employees may feel disconnected from your business’s mission and values, since they’re not involved in aligning goals to the business.This type of management approach is not for every organization, especially those that are looking for more creativity to help them reposition themselves.

What’s Bottom-Up Management?

The idea that “two heads are better than one” the primary reason that some companies don’t apply a top down management approach. There could be a lot of talent in the ranks, which would be wasted in a top down environment. Or, the leadership is not skilled and knowledgeable enough to lead decisively.Employees are invited to participate in goal setting — sometimes simply with feedback, sometimes with a stake in the decision. These goals, projects, and tasks are then communicated by each team to senior leadership. The broad definition of bottom up management is it’s a structure where the whole organization participates in the process of leading the organization.

Pros: Employees across all levels and teams will feel engaged and involved — like their voice matters.Bottom-up management allows employees to set goals that are aligned with their strengths or areas of development. In doing so, employees can tackle their goals confidently.

Cons:In terms of disadvantages, having employees a part of the decision-making process can slow things down or have the company follow unproven ideas that dead end.Briefly,too many voices and ideas can slow business agility.Second disadvantage is the issue of ego. If everyone is vying to get heard, they might be motivated by self-interest rather than the overall goal of the project and company. This creates division and conflicts that are not good for business.

p.s. I`m a newbie project manager too… :D