5 Quick Questions That Reveal Your Management Style

This informal survey helps you understand your own management style. In the five scenarios below, choose the one letter that most accurately describes you. After you see what type you are, get tips below (based on your answers) for broadening your techniques and growing as a leader.

 

1.

A. “Spare the details and get to the bottom line” sums up my attitude toward completing a project

B. “Full steam ahead and let’s get on to the next thing!” sums up my attitude toward completing a project

C. I prefer the planning stage of a project to the implementation stage

D. Before I start a project, I like all the details to be taken care of

2.

A. Showing too much emotion can set a bad example for the people I lead

B. I can be very emotional when I’m excited

C. Saying what I think is more important than expressing how I feel

D. I don’t mind showing emotion when I’m happy or sad

 

3.

A. “I don’t feel pressure, I create it” could be my favorite quip

B. I like a fast-moving environment with exciting people

C. Logic and consistency are two of my intellectual ideals

D. I feel very stressed out when I see conflict in the workplace

 

4.

A. On the way to an objective, I know I step on toes and sometimes hurt the feelings of co-workers

B. People have told me that if I sat on my hands, I wouldn’t be able to talk

C. Principles are more important than personal relationships

D. I would want to create a work environment that’s friendly and where everyone is on a first-name basis

 

5.

A. I often interrupt the conversations of others

B. I love praise for a job well done and feel dissatisfied if I don’t get it

C. I believe in dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” before offering an opinion

D. People have told me I’m a very good listener

RESULTS

You are a:

Warrior = If you answered “A” three or more times 
Cheerleader = If you answered “B” three or more times
Human Computer = If you answered “C” three or more times
Lamb = If you answered “D” three or more times

 

The following techniques help you focus on building your leadership skills based on your supervisory style:

 

WARRIOR

• Work on projecting compassion
• Practice active listening skills
• Schedule “chat” time with workers to get to know them
• Practice smiling
• Work on learning how to delegate
• Count to 10 before going out of your office when you are under heavy pressure
• Guard against appearing overly critical with those you lead

 

CHEERLEADER

• Improve time management skills
• Learn how to set goals and when to adjust them
• Work on organizational skills
• Avoid addressing workers when upset
• Learn from those around you who have a good eye for detail
• Prepare yourself with facts and logic when making presentations
• Guard against misplaced compassion

 

HUMAN COMPUTER

• Don’t hold everyone to your intellectual standards
• Teach workers how to follow up on details so you can delegate more tasks
• Get out of your office and talk to your workers
• Practice active listening skills
• Learn how to set goals and deadlines
• Avoid anything that will make you delay
• Use your analytical skills to analyze what motivates people to perform
• Attempt to make decisions on a timely basis

 

LAMB

• Practice taking risks
• Balance compassion with logic
• Learn to set goals and deadlines
• Watch those around you who are assertive and learn from them
• Rethink the logic and emotion behind your decisions