An Autocratic Leadership style is one in which only one person makes all the decisions and solicits very little feedback from the rest of the group. In contrast to democratic leadership, autocratic leaders decide or make choices based on their own beliefs without consulting or seeking opinions from others. Only in companies where the nature of the work necessitates swift decision-making is this form of leadership effectiveness. The following are some of the main traits of authoritarian leadership.
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- Allows little or no input from group members
- Requires leaders to make almost all of the decisions
- Provides leaders with the ability to dictate work methods and processes
- Leaves the group feeling like they aren’t trusted with decisions or important tasks
- Tends to create highly structured and very rigid environments
- Discourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
- Establishes rules and tends to be clearly outlined and communicated.
Some examples of autocratic leaders include;
Despite having a kind demeanor, Martha Stewart was renowned for being extremely demanding of her staff. Ridley Scott was a perfectionist who was notoriously difficult to deal with on set due to his strict leadership style. Like many other military leaders, Napoleon Bonaparte evolved into an authoritarian tyrant who ruled from the top. He was the military commander of the French Revolution and was infamous for his dictatorial management style. He didn’t discuss his plans with anyone while in charge of a sizable force. His strategy was obviously successful because he grew his empire to include over 70 million people.
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Although she was regarded as England’s toughest monarch, Queen Elizabeth also showed a great deal of concern for her subjects. Vladimir Putin is in a position where what he says is binding because of his firm control over Russia. Elon Musk is renowned for enforcing his authority by threatening to terminate disobedient employees in front of the entire company. Microsoft is led by Bill Gates, who combines an authoritative and collaborative leadership style. He is a master at delegating responsibilities, but he also recognizes the need to utilize his team members’ skills to the maximum. The company’s tremendous success was a result of this fusion of aesthetics.
Abraham Lincoln rarely gave commands on the battlefield but made a lot of independent choices throughout the Civil War. The result of President Lincoln’s authoritarian leadership style, the abolition of slavery, had a significant and long-lasting impact on America.
Pros and Cons of Autocratic Leadership
The autocratic approach typically has a very unfavorable tone. Without a doubt, when overdone or applied to the wrong people or circumstances. However, under other circumstances, such as when decisions must be taken swiftly without talking with a large group of people, autocratic leadership can be advantageous. For some projects to be completed swiftly and effectively, strong leadership is needed. The autocratic leadership style can result in quick and decisive judgments when the leader is the most knowledgeable member of the group. When there is a shortage of leadership in small groups, the autocratic leadership style can provide guidance.
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When there is a lot of pressure, this leadership style can also be effective. Group members may favor an authoritarian approach in stressful circumstances, such as during military confrontations. This relieves group members of the burden of making difficult decisions, allowing them to focus on their assigned tasks. Additionally, doing so enables group members to develop advanced skills in carrying out certain tasks, which eventually helps the entire group succeed. Autocratic management provides structure. The autocratic approach, in particular, might be advantageous in the manufacturing and construction industries. Each person in these circumstances must have a duty that has been specifically assigned to them, a deadline, and guidelines that they must abide by. It assists in making sure that projects are completed on schedule and that staff adheres to safety regulations to prevent accidents and injuries.
While there are moments when autocratic leadership is advantageous, there are also numerous situations where it can be detrimental. Abusing an autocratic leadership style is frequently associated with being demanding, inflexible, and dictatorial. When talented and skilled team members feel as though their expertise and skills are being undervalued, it can occasionally lead to resentment among the group members, who may feel as though they not be involved or say in how things are done. Autocratic leaders make choices without consulting the group, and members may not enjoy the fact that they are unable to provide ideas. This inhibits group input. Researchers have also discovered that autocratic leadership frequently results in a lack of original problem-solving approaches, which can eventually hinder the performance of the group. Autocratic leaders can tend to ignore the knowledge and skills that group members might contribute to the issue. The group’s success will suffer if other team members are not consulted in certain circumstances. In some circumstances, autocratic leadership might harm the group’s morale. When people believe they are making a difference for the group’s future, they tend to feel happier and perform better. Because authoritarian leaders frequently forbid team members’ involvement, followers begin to feel unhappy and confined.
Although autocratic leadership can have some drawbacks, it can also have some positive aspects if used properly. When the leader is the most informed person in the group or has access to information that the other group members do not, for instance, an autocratic approach can be used successfully. The knowledgeable leader can make judgments that are optimal for the group without wasting time discussing them with team members who lack experience. In particular circumstances, autocratic leadership works best. Using this style in conjunction with other strategies, like democratic or transformational styles, can frequently improve group performance.
