It is a blend because different employees have different learning styles and needs for leadership. I do believe in the SDWT facilitation methods but often employees want a leader who can actually lead by example ...live and breath the 5-step so-forth. I am good with anything that promotes the mission statement of the business but encourages team building potential. I think the best managers are less dictatorial and more team worked focused. SDWT Self-Directed Work Teams seem to be a nice blend for diverse groups who have varied learning styles and levels of understanding. You want a store that hits the 400+ weekly you have to maintain a qualified dedicated work force who believes in what they are doing. If employees are happy they will bend over backwards to make the store profitable and they will offer excellent customer service which will show up in the return customer counts. The best way to do this is to make working conditions fair and to pay reasonable wages/benefits.