What is the primary characteristic of the Exploitative/Benevolent management style?

The primary characteristic of the Exploitative/Benevolent management style is a patronizing management approach. This style is often marked by a leadership that believes it knows what is best for employees, often without seeking their input or considering their needs and opinions effectively. Managers operating within this framework typically provide some benefits to employees but do so in a way that reinforces the power dynamics, making decisions from a place of authority rather than collaboration.

In this context, the focus is more on the benevolence of the manager as they believe they are providing for their employees, yet the underlying exploitative nature of the approach indicates that employees are not genuinely empowered or deeply involved in decision-making processes. This creates an environment that may appear supportive on the surface but lacks true employee engagement and agency.