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Compare And Contrast Mary Parker Follett's Management Theories

Decent Essays

Mary Parker Follett in the early 20th century did not receive much acclaim for her often human views and approaches to management. Follett’s theories were seen as being in contrast with the more popular scientific principles of management approach. These approaches can be seen in the writing of Fayol. His principles called for more of a controlling or commanding authoritative manager. Follett’s approach was more group thinking, sharing of responsibilities and conflict resolution among all the parties involved having equal power.
To understand the differences in management theories we need to examine each one presented by Fayol and how Follett’s approach may have differed. Fayol’s concepts were more in line with a hierarchy management …show more content…

Follett believe that a manager should understand their group and be able to bring out the best in them instead of commanding that a task be completed in the manager in which it was assigned. The manager should see the potential in each person of the group instead of just a body to ensure the task is done in the manner delegated.
The manager is to unite the group, being one with instead of separate and above the individuals completing the task. The whole group is moving towards a common goal and purpose. The leader would guide and be guided for this common goal. Anyone in the group could be the leader and co-ordinate the task not just managers who believe that at their level all processes and tasks should go through.
The last management principle of Fayol is control. The manager should ensure conformity to the rules and regulations. This is one of the most important concepts under Fayol because without control his other principles would have difficulties being carried out. Follett believed that a leader does not have control but directs the efforts of the group and maintains that directions but does not influence to the realm of control. Everyone can be a leader instead of only one having absolute control.
In modern leadership the manager should have the vision that they translate to the group to give the group its purpose. The leader should ensure the group is moving toward the vision but not

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