That means a decision is made on the timetable of the leader and no one else. This can be beneficial for organizations that need to maintain a strong sense of control and predictability. The result is an unhappy workforce. Autocratic (or authoritarian) managers like to make all the important decisions and closely supervise and control workers. Bad leaders can put a company out of business. In a system of dependence, an autocratic leadership style creates a lack of trust between you and your workers. This may make many employees feeling intellectually stifled. 2002-2023 Tutor2u Limited. List of Advantages of Autocracy Government 1. Many say the autocratic leadership style is unfit in todays business environment. In addition, normally, inexperienced employees are rules followers. This process may create a powerful and positive impact on their performance. Leaders do not concern about whether or not subordinates are satisfied with their actions and instructions. Decentralisation and Leadership Styles (AQA Paper 1 2019, Q20) Exam Support What is leadership? The communication in the autocratic leadership can be considered as "one-way" ( the manager say . Attner, R. and Plunkett, W. (1994) Introduction to management, 5th edition, California: Wadsworth, Inc. Murphy, M. (2019) Does anyone actually like autocratic leaders? Autocratic leadership is a type of leadership that is individual-centric. 3. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. That creates a positive impact on the work environment, which leads to more accurate work and consistent production. Although they set their rules and regulations to control the team, they also play a significant role in eradicating employee stress. . If the leader offers questionable ethics, however, and refuses to create fairness, then there is no one who can really hold that person accountable. When an autocratic leader becomes burnt out and cannot fulfill their duties, the rest of the team is often ill-equipped to step in and take the lead because they have never been in that position before. That means workers tend to not take ownership of the work they do because there is no incentive to do so. Task 2.3 - Comparison of leadership style Autocratic Leadership Style: Mr. Worth took on a more autocratic approach to leadership by operating his office from the top floor of the company, and rarely interacting with his employees. Let's explore whether an autocratic leadership style is the right one for you: Benefits of Autocratic Leadership Style. It is a style which dictates how people are supposed to work. An autocratic leader is not wishy-washy or passive aggressive; an autocratic leader makes expectations and the consequences for not meeting them clear from the outset. 2. - There is a clear division between the followers and the leaders. 9. What is autocratic leadership and its advantages? If there isnt enough time to develop personal skills or learn something new, then autocratic leaders are still able to get the job done. Autocratic leaders make choices or decisions based on their own beliefs and do not involve others for their suggestion or advice. In a negative work environment, they also have the power to micromanage, enforce employee dependence, bully and generally mistreat their team. In some situations, this leadership . This process may create a powerful and positive impact on their performance. Autocratic leadership, characterized by this centralized style of leadership, is an important concept in business, economics and politics. Autocratic leaders are often charged with information movement. There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or manager. Employees, in turn, learn discipline and consistency from their leader. So, there are. There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or manager. Contrary to popular opinions, many organisations are well suited to the autocratic leadership type at some degree. The decision can be made faster with this leadership style. While the advantages and disadvantages of leadership styles are not always readily apparent, one thing is certain - being decisive while avoiding autocratic leadership tactics is necessary for successful leaders and negotiators alike. Some of the more common styles include autocratic, bureaucratic, democratic, and laissez-faire. 4. Many companies have been forced to completely reset their under-performing teams because the leadership in place formed the identity of everyone involved. - reduces staff turnover. Autocratic leaders are often micromanagers. Likewise, this style is also very effective when astringent synchronisation of processes is essential to productivity. But, the results always lead to corporate success. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); At BokasTutor, We aim to provide easy and insightful explanations on different topics of disciplines like Management, Marketing, Finance, Business, and Entrepreneurship. Because of the vertical or one-way communication channel subordinates do not get the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts. It leads to quick decision-making, control over the processes and the operations of a company, etc. This leadership style can produce authoritative short-term results. This detailed article sheds light on some of the advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership style. Here, in the autocratic organization, there are fewer levels which reduces the challenges of poor communication that might be caused because of too many levels. Employees do not get recognition for their efforts. In the directing format, the subordinates of the leader are told what to do, how to do it, and when the deadline happens to be. For many it is someone who can inspire and get the most from their staff. This is yet another of the several advantages of autocratic leadership style. It means employees who are extremely skilled or motivated may begin to lose their incentives to stay active under the current leadership creating conflict in the organisations. This ensures that employees are exercising best of their abilities to get the job done, and time and other resources are not wasted. and lack of staff initiative (2015). There is also less feedback from various levels of management which must be processed. It reduces the amount of group input received. Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership, is a style of leadership characterized by direct, top-down communication and commands. ? Even if the leader is not knowledgeable in the area, they are forced into a position where they must decide. There is no doubt that laissez-faire can bring significant disadvantages to an organisation - especially where conditions are not conducive to such a liberal style of management. Each person involved in autocratic organizations knows their position and role in achieving the desired target. It is a negative cycle which only increases when the leader makes a poor decision that could have been avoided if a team consultation occurred. Advantages of autocratic leadership Quick Decisions Close Oversight Total Control Streamlined Work Process Easy to Learn The autocratic, or "do this or else," type of leadership is intuitive Good for Inexperienced or Unmotivated Workers./Bad for Highly Skilled and Motivated Workers. Only the leader will weigh the pros and cons of every option instead of the entire C-suite. The free reign approach can prove an effective type of leadership when the team has achieved identity and cohesion, resulting in motivated and resourceful team members. Leadership styles There are many ways to lead and every leader has his or her own style. With little or no input by their subordinates, autocratic leaders are free to make decisions, define policies and direct work wherever they feel is most effective. Communication is the systematic process of passing information from one person to another. The idea here is that with a centralised control, giving guidance and direction to employees is relatively easy. 1. 1. Autocratic leadership style is commonly associated with excessive employee turnover (employees leaving an organisation). The advantages of Autocratic Leadership are: 1. He is a lecturer in Management and Marketing. After all, this is what good leadership is all about. 2. Autocratic leaders are typically trusted with decisions or important tasks. Autocratic leadership is an exchange process, so it is a matter of contingent reinforcement of staff based on performances. Humans are by nature different from each other; still, experts try to categorize them into various segments. The employee doesnt have to worry about anything beyond performing their job duties properly, and for many employees, this is much less mentally taxing than an environment where they're expected to pitch ideas and weigh in on business strategies. Autocratic executives can affect more productive project completion since they spread information swiftly throughout a company. If you liked any of these articles, please feel free to share with others by clicking on the social sharing icons. But that is not the case always, there are many instances when autocratic leadership has proved itself a desirable option in the organizational setting. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. This can mean the only employees who remain working with the company are unmotivated and even lazy individuals. 9. Autocratic leadership, however, has always been under the scanner. They can easily manage these issues because theyre the only ones who get to call the shots. Under this type of leadership style there is no delay as the decision rests with a single authority and in times of crunch situation where a quick decision is needed . Individual decision making: Less competent sub-managers can be used only to carry out the orders of the boss. Disadvantages of autocratic leadership style. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership to consider. In addition, the leaders directly communicate to their followers where the work is to be done. It improves overall communication. This creates more speed, better productivity, and enhanced efficiencies within the workplace. Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages: Advantages: It allows for fast decisions to be made: - An autocratic leadership includes fewer levels of administration levels that are to be informed. Workers become dependent on someone else to make decisions. The foundation of the autocratic leadership style is one built on mistrust. Nevertheless, autocratic leadership is one of the least popular management styles and certainly not suitable for each organisation. Check out Harappas, Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. The leader shares defined roles and patterns of work with the employees. We hope the article Advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership style has been helpful. An Autocratic or authoritarian leadership style will comprise of dictates and orders like telling aides what is to be done and how is something supposed to be done. Because the leaders opinion is the only opinion that matters in terms of strategic planning and decision-making, employees can feel frustrated that they cannot work in ways that suit them. These benefits of autocratic leadership can swiftly take the team out of trouble. Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Advantages Of Autocratic Leadership, Difference Between Leaders And Dictators, Contingency Theory Of Leadership and Develop Good Leadership Qualities to advance in your career. Low satisfaction also results in below performance than expectations. Lets take a glimpse at who autocratic leaders are and what they do. They get to take all the credit for the work that gets done. It is a leadership style that can be applied in three different ways. The first involves the work that gets done. How was that going for you? Now, she's focusing her writing on helping other small business owners and people planning to become small business owners navigate this crazy thing we call entrepreneurship. An autocratic leader is well-equipped to deal with a crisis situation. These. LS23 6AD A review of the teams work falls on their shoulders. When this happens, productivity levels tend to decrease over time instead of increase. High clarity on structure and roles Organizations with autocratic leaders usually have very clear lines and borders in between different areas. The second involves a leader refusing to take responsibility for work they personally instructed a worker to complete. for the employees, too. Study notes, videos, interactive activities and more! The leader is the only one who is in charge of the situation. There are fewer delays because best practices are being followed consistently. Workers are forced to rely on the autocratic leader for all their feedback, instructions, and work duties. When there isnt enough time to learn something new or a project must be completed rapidly, this type of leadership is the best option. This procedure often leads to the consistent delivery of projects and has a significant impact on the employees performance and productivity. Moreover, they also like to enjoy the credit for the projects success, leaving the employees disheartened. This requires good two-way communication and often involves democratic discussion groups, which can offer useful suggestions and ideas. This is one of the autocratic leader strengths and weaknesses that is highly dependent on the workplace environment. These types of leaders are known as democratic leaders and laissez-faire leaders, respectively. Advantages The pros of this approach include: Decisions can be made rapidly which may keep the team agile and very quick to respond to challenges. Managers are interested in how happy workers feel and in many ways they act as a father figure (pater means father in Latin). Pros of Autocracy The following sections below demonstrate. In autocratic organizations, there are clearly defined tasks, roles, rules, and deadlines to follow. Along with many advantages, the autocratic leadership style also has various disadvantages. West Yorkshire, Characteristics of autocratic leadership include: According to St. Thomas University, few famous autocratic leadership examples include: Like all other leadership styles, autocratic leadership has its advantages as well as its drawbacks. Despite facing criticism, there are some tangible benefits that an autocratic leader brings to the company. An autocratic workplace environment is typically not friendly to innovation or outside-the-box thinking, and this can leave workers feeling intellectually stifled. Subordinates tend to shirk responsibility and initiative. According to St. Thomas University, democratic leadership is defined by mutual respect between the manager and their team members. When there is clear direction, with a path toward success, offered to workers, then they are able to focus on productivity instead of problem solving. Because of the strict method in which employees are micromanaged, there is no room for flexibility within the work environment. The result is a more consistent and accurate output. Even workers who like to explore creative solutions dont mind an autocratic leader when they are allowed to pitch new ideas or offer an alternative decision based on their personal experience. All operations, methods, processes and delegations are decided by the autocratic leader and only by him. 7. outline the advantages of this style, such as increased situational control, discipline over workers, short discussions, and group members knowing their roles and tasks. If that leader does not create a fair working environment, then it is difficult for any employees to change that environment. Autocratic leadership is a suitable option for small-sized organizations where a single leader can handle all the matters easily. Be able to think creatively to provide a vision for the company and solve problems, Be calm under pressure and make clear decisions, Possess excellent two-way communication skills, Be well informed and knowledgeable about matters relating to the business. In this kind of leadership mostly leader makes new contacts with outside people. The leader will need to create the system, with all the rules and procedures, in which the team uses to operate and reach goals. Copyright 2017 2025. They are the managerial equivalent of an emergency room surgeon who is forced to do whatever necessary to save a patients life. It creates moments of insecurity within the leadership. Because all decisions are made by the leader, a new leader must be brought in, which requires everyone to start from scratch. Charismatic leaders are usually adaptable and possess the power to make the followers feel comfortable with . That need is generated by an overall lack of trust. On the other hand, employees are responsible for following instructions and meeting deadlines. Here are the top advantages of autocratic leadership: Faster Decision-making This leadership style enables quick decision-making, which is one of the most significant benefits of autocratic leadership. Whether this style makes a good leader has been a longstanding debate. For leaders who don't care much about power and prefer to be appreciated by being of service to others, this is the main advantage. This can lead to burnout. The laissez-faire or free reign leader scarcely provides direction to his team members. Definition, Features, Principles, and Cycle, What is TQM? They prefer to set their objectives, plan of action, processes and methods independently. Laissez-Faire. When there are multiple levels of leadership within an organization, a command from the top becomes like a childhood game of Telephone. 1. The autocratic leadership style means that the person in charge has the entire control upon all decision making. Benefits of autocratic leadership Here are some of the pros of an autocratic leadership approach. 7. Inexperienced employees need a detailed layout and instructions to complete taskstraits an autocratic leader is known for. the us american football coach vince lombardi is an example. In the permissive version, the autocratic leader still makes the final decision, but extends some flexibility to their direct reports in how tasks are completed. 1. There may be dangerous situations or working environments which require complicated tasks to be completed. List of the Advantages of Autocratic Leadership 1. That means leaders using this style tend to be busier than other leaders. What is Laissez-Faire Leadership? When a company crisis occurs, a leader with authoritative traits can begin to call the shots to make immediate changes. They know themselves very well and try to bring people together to achieve the organisational goals. This helps to resolve the emergencies rather effectively when compared to other leadership styles. Autocratic leadership can be defined as a leadership style where an individual leader holds the decision-making power over all organizational members and all activities. Effective communication is when the receiver gets the exact message the sender wants to convey. In workplaces where the employees are largely young and inexperienced, autocratic leadership can be the most effective approach. Leaders are of different types. As such, it becomes the right choice for employees who thrive when they are told what to do. What is the cons of autocratic leadership? In most autocratic leadership structures, the leader is responsible for every action of the team. Many prime ministers and presidents around the world are also well-known for their autocratic style. When the leaders are taking ownership for the quality of the completed work, there is no opportunity for team members to do so. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. Rules are placed for employees to follow in an autocratic leadership style because there is a need to create consistency. Autocratic leadership eradicates this confusion as the command goes straight to the people involved. But, what is autocratic leadership? Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. We all had, in one job or another, a boss who was feared by everyone. Management & Leadership Styles | Autocratic, Democratic, Paternalistic, Laissez- Faire and More Two Teachers 16K subscribers Subscribe 224 Share Save 27K views 3 years ago Business Studies Videos. That makes it almost impossible for leaders to leave the workplace, as workers can become so dependent on their decision-making abilities that nothing gets done if the leader is not present for some reason. Managers do not trust workers and simply give orders (one-way communication) that they expect to be obeyed. An autocratic leader is the sole authority in her company, on her team or at the head of the group she is tasked with leading. Disadvantages. Inexperienced employees generally need a lot of hands-on guidance from their supervisors to learn their roles, learn how to perform their job duties effectively and learn how to work well within the organization. In this type of leadership, the rules and procedures that teams use are quite rigid. Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. They will delegate to them the authority to do this (empowerment) and listen to their advice. Did you know that autocratic leadership is great when it comes to handling crises? It may create an unwelcome culture within the organization. Characteristics of autocratic leadership style. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. Business, sports, politics, and many other fields have witnessed a great number of autocratic leaders throughout the history. Increased autonomy 2. Other relevant articles for you are: Advantages and disadvantages of digital marketing, Advantages and disadvantages of franchising. An autocratic leader makes decisions and communicates them on time, making sure that the team has all the information they need to finish the project on schedule. 8. A democratic style of management will put trust in employees and encourage them to make decisions. You must have seen people with varied working styles, ways of talking, and traits. And what are autocratic leadership pros and cons? This style tends to decrease employee performance when additional duties are imposed on the employees without consultation. The idea here is that with a centralised control, giving guidance and direction to employees is relatively easy. In this article, we outline some essential autocratic leadership pros and cons. One of the hallmarks of autocratic leadership is that the leader comes to his decisions quickly. Although this form of leadership is often found within the government, it is also present in some corporate structures as well. Although their primary aim should be to achieve business goals, as leaders, it is also their responsibility to add value to employees. St. Thomas University: What is Democratic/Participative Leadership? However, excess control can also result in low employee morale and employee engagement. ", 100 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money, 10 Proven Psychological Pricing Strategies with Examples, 100 Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know, 50 Best Business Letter Closings of All-Time. Team members have creative freedom 3. M Rahman writes extensively online and offline with an emphasis on business management, marketing, and tourism. Motivation and reward for leaders: It provides strong motivation and reward for the leader. People only thrive here is there is no investment in what they do. Although they set their rules and regulations to control the team, they also play a significant role in eradicating employee stress. SWOT Analysis of Kelloggs (Kellogg Company), https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2019/11/24/does-anyone-actually-like-autocratic-leaders-new-data-says-yes/?sh=bd0ef4e10de5, https://hbr.org/2002/10/the-leadership-journey. The following are the notable advantages and disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style in the workplace. Leadership is critical in a changing business environment, where small and medi um sized companie s operat e, and even more whe n changes are amplifie d by transformations of a whole economy, like . Transactional leadership is characterized by a leader/subordinate relationship governed by exchange, and with an autocratic leader, this exchange is total compliance with expectations for continued employment with the company. As such, in autocratic leadership, faster decisions can be made. Autocratic leaders exercise absolute control over the team. The result is a more consistent and accurate output. So, what are the autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages? The biggest problem is, no one talks about innovation and out-of-the-box ideas in this leadership style. Advantages Autocratic style of leadership is very effective in times of emergency or stress since people will always work from orders or commands of their leaders. Autocratic leadership always encourages one-way communication to eliminate this problem. List of the Disadvantages of a Democratic Leadership Style. Autocratic leadership style ensures that a consistent message is sent from the centre to the employees at the bottom of the organisations. But, what is autocratic leadership? It gets even worse if workers can voice an opinion that is never utilized. Employee morale can also be negatively affected when autocratic leadership is employed. They consult employees over issues and listen to their feedback or opinions. Definition, Principles, Techniques, and Pros/Cons. One of the greatest advantages to working with an autocratic leader is that the employee always knows whats expected and what will happen if they fail to perform as expected. The three commonly observed leadership . The manager respects employees' insight and asks them to help make the best decision, and the team respects the leader's ability to ultimately make the right call after considering their viewpoints.
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