Final answer:
Managers using manipulation and coercion employ threats and intimidation to force employee compliance. This unethical practice undermines trust and may constitute harassment. Businesses should avoid coercion and foster ethical leadership instead.
Step-by-step explanation:
When managers resort to manipulation and coercion to compel employees to act in a certain way, they are using a form of power that relies on threats and intimidation. This unethical approach can include making threats or suggesting negative consequences will follow if employees do not comply with demands. For example, a manager might threaten an employee's job security or create a hostile work environment to pressure them into acting against their will or better judgment.
The use of coercion in the workplace can undermine trust, decrease morale, and may legally constitute workplace harassment or a hostile work environment. Coercion is a dramatic contrast to more ethical leadership styles that prioritize respect, open communication, and mutual benefit.
It is important for businesses to train their managers to engage with employees in a manner that is consistent with the company's values and legal obligations. Relying on coercion is a counterproductive strategy that can result in long-term damage to the organization's culture and reputation.