Total Quality Management
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TQM versus Authoritative Management Style
Authoritative management is boss-centered and uses authority, fear, and coercion to influence people. The authoritative leader lacks empathy and is usually not personally likeable. Total Quality Management is team oriented, with charismatic leaders who influence people by working with them to achieve quality; it may break the "claim and blame" cycle. It does not blame anyone for problems; instead, it only seeks solutions.
It is obvious that the two styles diametrically differ in their approaches to management. Some of these differences are noted as follows:
- Authoritative management looks for the "quick fix" while TQM seeks long-term solutions.
- Authoritative management continues to operate the same old way while TQM emphasizes innovation and creative thinking.
- Authoritative management controls resources by function while TQM optimizes resources across the whole organization.
- Authoritative management seeks to control people while TQM empowers people.