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Mixed management refers to a combination of tactical and strategic management styles. This mixed-style seeks to combine the positive aspects of each leadership style so that the company can run successfully. And for a project, that means it’s on budget and on time.
Before explaining why in some conditions management needs to combine the two styles, let’s first understand each style.
Strategic management style
In the style of strategic management, managers tend to give freedom to employees. The manager believes that employees can carry out the work according to expectations because they are experienced. Therefore, managers do not have to be directive and controlling.
The manager divides work assignments to employees and asks when they are done. Often, he brings together teams to help plan work assignments and involves employees in decision making.
Tactical management style
The tactical management style is the opposite of the strategic management style. In this case, managers are more directing and controlling. The company adopts this style when:
- Emoloyees are new or inexperienced
- Task requires accuracy
The manager acts as a supervisor and decides how the worker must complete the task. Also, they will monitor employees to ensure they have done the job according to instructions.
For some people, this style tends to be boring. They may be difficult to do tasks because feeling under pressure of supervising. In some cases, the situation creates frustration among employees.
Strategic management style plus tactical management style = Mixed management
An effective manager is ready to use both styles. Why? In a company, not all employees are new or inexperienced. Some of them have worked for many years and understand the culture and ways of working at companies. To deal with them, managers should use a strategic management style approach. This style is to avoid frustration among employees, which can cause a decrease in productivity.
Conversely, when dealing with new and inexperienced employees, managers should adopt tactical management. Managers need to decide what employees need to do and how to do it correctly. At the very least, the manager needs to do it until the employee is experienced. That way, managers can ensure that employees do not make fatal mistakes due to inexperience.
