Blake and Mouton – the managerial grid

The managerial grid, developed by Blake and Mouton, is a tool for analyzing and improving managerial behavior. It is based on the premise that effective managers balance concern for people and concern for production, and it identifies five styles of management based on these two dimensions.

The managerial grid has two dimensions:

1. Concern for people: This dimension reflects a manager’s concern for the well-being and development of their team members. Examples of behaviors that demonstrate high concern for people include listening to team members, providing feedback and support, and promoting team cohesion.
2. Concern for production: This dimension reflects a manager’s focus on achieving results and meeting organizational goals. Examples of behaviors that demonstrate high concern for production include setting clear goals and expectations, monitoring progress, and taking action to address problems.

Based on these dimensions, the managerial grid identifies five styles of management:

1. Impoverished management: This style is characterized by low concern for both people and production. Managers with this style may be disinterested in their team’s well-being and may prioritize meeting goals over building relationships with team members.
2. Authority-compliance: This style is characterized by high concern for production and low concern for people. Managers with this style may be more focused on meeting targets and may be less concerned with supporting and developing their team members.
3. Country club management: This style is characterized by high concern for people and low concern for production. Managers with this style may prioritize building relationships and creating a positive work environment over achieving results.
4. Team management: This style is characterized by high concern for both people and production. Managers with this style strive to balance the needs of the team with the goals of the organization, and they focus on building strong relationships and achieving results.
5. Middle-of-the-road management: This style is characterized by moderate concern for both people and production. Managers with this style may struggle to effectively balance the needs of the team with the goals of the organization.

Organizations can use the managerial grid to assess the managerial styles of their leaders and identify areas for improvement. They can also use it to develop and train managers in effective leadership skills and to create a more cohesive and effective leadership team.