When J was promoted to be the new Sales and Marketing Manager for Company L, after working there in different capacities over the last ten years, it was a popular choice between her co-employees.  J was always a good team player and enjoyed helping individuals.  Though, in the six months since her promotion, although staff morale has never been higher, sales have dropped and targets have not been met.  

Compare and contrast J's current style of management with the single it is suggested she should adopt. You should support your answer with reference to relevant management style/leadership theories.

There are a number of dissimilar management styles and leadership theories which could be used to compare and contrast J's approach and the approach senior management thinks she should adopt.

It would seem from the scenario information that J's approach is most of people centred than task centred. Adair's action centred leadership model is based on the premise that effective leadership needs the bringing together of task, team and individual requirements. In J's case, senior management is suggesting that J has a focus on the requirements of the individual and the group, but has not paid sufficient attention to the task attainment.