Page 334 - Business Principles and Management

project:
MY BUSINESS , INC.

YOUR LE ADERSHIP STYLE
If your business is successful, it will likely grow either by adding more
employees to the current location or by opening additional locations. When
you are the sole employee of a business, your primary responsibilities will
be as a manager. However, as you add employees, you will take on the role
of leader as well as manager. With more locations and more employees,
leadership responsibilities become more complex and more important. You
will need to earn the respect, confidence, and support of employees so they
will want to do a good job. All employees will recognize you as their
manager, although they may not view you as an effective leader unless
you understand leadership and develop effective leadership skills.
Some new business owners have a difficult time developing and enforc-
ing work rules. They didn’t need rules when they were the sole employee or
when the first few employees were hired. Many new managers believe that
most employees want to do a good job. They try to avoid conflicts and
don’t want to have to reprimand or fire employees. They see work rules as
difficult to develop and enforce and believe they build a wall between the
business owner and the employees.
The activities below focus on analyzing your leadership style and
preparing for your role as leader. You will prepare a plan to increase
your leadership skills. You will also consider an initial set of work rules
that you can use as you expand your business.

DATA COLLECTION
1. Write down brief descriptions of each leadership style. Give them
to family members, teachers, or close friends. Ask them to identify
the description that best expresses the way you work with people.
Summarize their responses. Do you have a clear-cut leadership style?
2. Contact the owner or manager of a restaurant or fast-food business.
Ask to review the company’s employee handbook. Identify the work
rules. Discuss the rules with the owner or manager to determine how
effective the rules are in helping the person manage the business.

ANALYSIS
1. Using the information you collected on your leadership style in the
Data Collection section above, do you agree or disagree with the
responses of others? If you disagree, why do you believe others’
view of your style differs from your own view? Develop a written
statement of what you can do during this school year to increase
your leadership skills. What leadership or career development
activities are available through your local career and technical
student organization or other school or community organization?
2. Develop at least 5 work rules for your business. Consider attendance
and absences, relationships with others, safety, care of equipment,
and other employee responsibilities.

321