by Carl Marshall

Created on: October 12, 2009   Last Updated: January 18, 2010

Good management theories have evolved over the last 150 years. There is always a new concept for managers to grasp.  Frederick Taylor, is regarded as the founder of management theory. The intrinsic belief behind his theory is that management are of a higher intelligence than the workers. Therefore, management should decide upon the best method of performing each job within a business. He believed the worker was there to be instructed on how the job should be done, and their only responsibility is for job performance.

It soon became clear that employees lacked motivation. The workers were made to feel like machines, rather than people with ideas, feelings and potential. The workers were being under rated and under valued. A new way of thinking was needed. This is where the Human Relations School emerged. The belief behind this theory is that workers are more productive and efficient when their needs and values are looked after by management.

Modern day thinking is more complicated. Good management practice is now considered to be using a combination of different management theories. So what are the actual qualities that a good manager should have?

TRUST

Workers feel much more valued and respected if they feel they are being trusted to do their job. Constant interfering and suspicion are unhealthy and lower productivity.

NEVER EXPECT OTHERS TO DO WHAT YOU WOULDN'T BE PREPARED TO DO YOURSELF

If you really want to gain respect from your staff, don't make unreasonable requests. Put yourself into the place of the staff member, try to see things from their perspective, try to understand their thoughts and feelings.

ABILITY TO WORK WITH OTHERS

It is essential that a manager has the ability to be able to get along with people in the workplace, and be someone who is easy to get along with. This makes for a more relaxed environment. People are more able to contribute and be productive when they feel relaxed.

CONSISTENCY

It is wrong for a manager to reprimand an individual on an issue, if another member of staff does the same thing without anything being said to them. People feel confrontational and let down if there appears to be "different rules for different folk".

TOTAL DEDICATION

Never believe that it will go unnoticed if a manager isn't putting enough hours into the job which he/she is being paid for. Just because the opportunity exists to be lazy, doesn't mean that is what should happen.

LOTS OF ENERGY

You can't be a great motivator of people without an abundance of energy.

LOYALTY

Be loyal to your colleagues and usually you will get the same back. If someone asks a straight question give a straight answer.

CONCLUSION

Overall, there are hundreds of different management theories out there. They all stem from Taylor and Behaviourist School models. The right theory depends on the type of business. However, the qualities specified, are important in the modern workplace, no matter what particular theory is used.

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