Final answer:
A manager who smooths over problems and makes employees feel secure in their positions is demonstrating a Country Club manager style according to Blake-Mouton theory, which emphasizes a high concern for people but a low focus on production.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Blake-Mouton leadership grid, a manager who uses his skill with people to smooth over problems and to make employees feel secure would most closely align with the Country Club manager leadership style.
This style emphasizes high concern for people but low concern for production, focusing on creating a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. However, while this manager may be well-liked and employees might feel secure, there is a risk of neglecting the company’s performance objectives due to the low focus on production tasks.
The Blake-Mouton theory identifies four primary leadership styles: Authoritarian (high task, low people), Country Club (high people, low task), Impoverished (low people, low task), and Team Leader (high task, high people). The Country Club management style prioritizes the needs and concerns of employees, which can lead to a more harmonious work environment but might not always lead to high productivity.
In contrast, Team Leaders balance concern for people and production, aiming for maximum performance and employee engagement. Authoritarian managers focus heavily on tasks with little regard for employee satisfaction, and Impoverished managers have little concern for both tasks and employee needs.