Can “Old School” Management Techniques Work Nowadays?
Spoiler — outdated thinking might not solve modern problems.
Imagine a supervisor who insists on weekly progress reports in a rigid format, refusing to consider alternative methods of tracking progress because “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
Consider a team meeting where a leader spends most of the time talking, rarely allowing team members to voice their opinions or contribute ideas.
Think of a workplace where employees are terrified to take risks or suggest improvements because they fear backlash from upper management.
I would define these scenarios as prime examples of old-school management techniques.
An “old school” management style typically refers to a traditional approach to leadership and organization that emphasizes hierarchical structures, strict rules, and a top-down decision-making process. This style often prioritizes authority and control over collaboration and empowerment. Here are some examples of this you may still commonly see in organizations:
1. Military Command: Think of an “old school” supervisor as a general leading troops into battle. They give orders, expect them to be followed without question, and rarely solicit input from lower-ranking soldiers. It’s a clear chain of command where the general’s…