Have you ever wondered which type of manager achieves the best results? Do you need someone who enforces rules and pressures you to perform at your best? Or do you prefer the freedom and flexibility provided by a lenient manager who trusts your decision-making abilities? In this article, expert in psychological education, Suzanna Atchik Joz, explains how different leadership styles impact motivation and creativity at work. Are you ready to discover which style drives you toward excellence?
Strict Manager vs. Lenient Manager: Which Drives Excellence?
Pressure of Success
A strict manager sets high standards and applies continuous pressure on employees to achieve success. While this pressure can motivate someone to perform their best, it can also lead to stress and burnout. The constant pressure may push employees to work under perpetual tension, improving short-term efficiency but negatively affecting mental health and overall motivation in the long run. On the other hand, a delicate balance between challenge and motivation is needed to maintain productivity without harming long-term performance.
Freedom and Creativity
A lenient manager grants employees the freedom to innovate and think creatively. This liberty opens the door for thinking outside the box, testing unconventional methods, and achieving unexpected success. However, without clear guidance, some may feel confused, and tasks may lack organization or clarity. A lenient manager must guide this freedom toward the right goals.
Internal Motivation
A strict manager relies on reward and punishment systems to motivate employees, whereas a lenient manager focuses on building internal motivation through trust and mutual respect. When employees feel that their vision is appreciated, they develop a strong internal drive to work hard. This leads to greater feelings of belonging and commitment. In contrast, employees under strict supervision may lose their internal motivation if they feel orders are given without personal regard.
Time Management
In a strict management environment, the focus is on efficiency and quick completion of tasks. Employees are encouraged to meet deadlines, which fosters a sense of challenge and productivity. However, continuous time pressure may hinder employees from showcasing their best work in tasks that require deep thinking and strategic planning. On the other hand, a lenient manager may provide employees with more time to interact with ideas, allowing for more time for innovation and maturity.
Adaptability
A lenient manager often encourages employees to adapt to the work environment with flexibility, providing opportunities to develop new skills and adjust to changes. This adaptability aligns with the needs of today’s workforce, which seeks work environments that respect diversity and allow for personal development. Strict managers may struggle with managing change if the rules are rigid, causing employees to feel confined by rapid shifts.
Balancing Leadership and Supervision
A strict manager tends to supervise closely and monitor performance continuously, while a lenient manager gives employees more freedom to take the lead in their tasks. The lenient manager encourages decision-making autonomy, boosting self-confidence and leadership skills. However, this may lead to a lack of guidance when needed. On the other hand, in a strictly supervised environment, organization is enhanced, and procrastination is prevented, but creativity may decline if employees feel they do not have the freedom to make decisions.
Differences Between the Strict and Lenient Manager:
Leadership and Guidance Style
A strict manager follows a clear and defined leadership style, setting strict rules and expecting employees to fully comply with them. This promotes discipline and organization in the workplace, but may limit creativity in some cases. In contrast, a lenient manager offers employees more freedom to make decisions and execute tasks the way they see fit, fostering innovation and creativity. However, at times, this may lead to a lack of clear direction, requiring employees to be more independent and resilient.
Motivation and Encouragement
In an environment led by a strict manager, motivation is driven by rewards and penalties, encouraging employees to work hard to meet goals. The pressure of this leadership style might push some employees to work diligently, but it can also create feelings of stress and excessive pressure. On the other hand, a lenient manager prefers to motivate employees by building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect. This approach encourages internal motivation, increasing a sense of responsibility and inspiring employees to achieve both personal and collective success.
Time Management and Accomplishment
A strict manager often prioritizes efficiency and quick results, imposing firm deadlines and urging their team to submit tasks on time. This promotes discipline but may limit opportunities for deep thinking or expanding on work details. Conversely, a lenient manager allows their team some flexibility with time, offering the opportunity to work on tasks more deeply and creatively. This flexibility can lead to exceptional results in tasks that require strategic or creative thinking.
Adapting to Changes
A strict manager tends to hold onto established systems and rules, which may hinder their ability to adapt to rapid or unexpected changes in the workplace. On the contrary, a lenient manager encourages adaptability and change, helping the team respond to new challenges with flexibility and creativity. This approach allows employees to better navigate shifting circumstances, though some may feel a lack of direction or clarity in a less structured environment.
In conclusion, while both strict and lenient management styles have their advantages, the balance between pressure, autonomy, creativity, and clarity is crucial in fostering a productive and innovative work environment. Depending on the individual and the nature of the work, one style may be more effective than the other in driving success and achieving excellence.
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