What is hard management and soft management?

Answer 1

The difference between hard management and soft management is broad. Both methods have been proven effective. The type of business can very often dictate the style of management required.

Hard management is when the leader uses a strict code of behavior to manage the employees. High standards of performance are required under this management. This type of management is not harsh, but firm. Employees are kept on task and expected to perform the work in a timely fashion. Specific tasks are given and require specific performance. The manager maintains a respectful distance between employee and manager to better use his authority. Hard management is very practical and to the point. Companies that offer hard services are generally referring to the vital everyday physical needs of a company like electrical or asset management.

The soft management style is more flexible and lenient. The management style is more friendly and more control is given to the employee to pick their own methods of operation. This way of doing business is more user friendly and humanistic in its approach. Companies with soft style management are more likely to give their employees creative license in their daily tasks. Soft managers provide their employees with broad guidelines and then let them lose to achieve their results in an unstructured manner. Companies that offer soft services are generally referring to the services that are not core type items but rather related to behind the scenes needs such as pest control and cleaning.