Power is the ability to act or produce an effect (Power, 2009). It is important that anyone in a manager position has not only authority but power as well. Powerful people can get done what they want and when they want it.
This doesn’t mean that an authoritarian approach to management is the best one. The most powerful person I know is also one of the friendliest. He is a rather easygoing guy by the name of Dave Callahan. Mr. Callahan is a grocery store manager of a Safeway franchise in Dover, Delaware. Although he is friendly and easy to get along with, he still motivates his employees by expecting high standards of them and communicating any problems that they may have without causing tension. The democratic work environment shows employees their importance in the running of the company which in turn keeps them loyal to the company.
I’ve worked in autocratic, democratic, and laissez-fair work environments each having both advantages and disadvantages. The autocratic manager had employees on their toes all day (PageWise, 2002). Although work was being completed and you knew who the boss was, it was a stressful work environment and employee morale was at the lowest I’d ever seen. I once worked in the distribution department of a paint factory. This was one of the most laid-back jobs I have ever been in. There was no supervision for my shift. We were under a laissez-faire style manager (PageWise, 2002). We knew our jobs and he wasn’t going to slow us down. One of the disadvantages to this style of management is that it could be abused, and you feel as if the managers aren’t involved enough. Overall, it was still an enjoyable work experience. My current employer runs under the democratic style (PageWise, 2002). Although sometimes employees crave even more power, the workplace is generally comfortable and managers understand our concerns and solve conflicts.
I try to avoid conflicts unless they are beneficial. Working in a customer service environment, I see more conflict at work than at school. Any time a person is paying for a good or service they obviously have a certain expectation. If those expectations aren’t reached, problems can arise.
-Andrew Campbell
References
PageWise. (2002).Styles of leadership.
Retrieved September 27, 2009 from
http://www.essortment.com/all/leadershipstyle_rrnq.htm
Power. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved September 27, 2009, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power
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