A: Change in Management Styles

In the business environment currently, the management style most commonly used by business managers is a facilitator management style. A facilitator management style is typically used with democratic leadership and the motivational approach of McGregor's Theory Y. This allows for better implantation and embracement of changes in the ever-changing dynamic environment.

In the past, managers took a traditional controller managerial style, associated with autocratic leadership and the motivational approach of McGregor's Theory X.

The different methods of approaching the management skills that both management styles apply differ greatly from each other.

Controller Manager:

• Authority: The manager gives orders and expects employees to obey without question.
• Motivation: Staff are viewed as lazy and unmotivated. Management uses money to motivate employees to work harder.
• Training and Development: Employees are trained only to perform their duties. Managers believe that employees do not want more responsibility so they do not invest in further training and development.
• Management Supervision: Management closely supervise employees to ensure that they are constantly working.
• Decision-making: Management make all decisions and do not consult with staff.

Facilitator Manager:

• Authority: Authority is shared between management and employees. Staff are delegated responsibility for certain tasks.
• Motivation: Employees are offered a range of financial and non-financial rewards to motivate them in the workplace, e.g. salary and additional holidays.
• Training and Development: Management invests in training and development to improve the skills and experience of employees. This prepares employees for future managerial vacancies in the firm.
• Management Supervision: Management delegate tasks to employees. Employees are trusted to perform their duties without constant management supervision.
• Decision-making: Employees are empowered to make decisions on behalf of the business without the need to consult with management.

Considering this, in my opinion, I would like to work in a business that applies the Facilitator Manager management style in its work environment. Working under a manager who applies this style would be more beneficial for its employees in the long-run and allows for more free-range within the company while still allowing for the company to do its duties. An autocratic way of management would only work in managements that require it; such as firefighting, where lives are on the line and decisions have to made quickly.