When the leaders are taking ownership for the quality of the completed work, there is no opportunity for team members to do so. When an autocratic leadership style is used in these situations, then the control the policies and procedures provide encourage a deeper commitment to safety. Your email address will not be published. The first and foremost advantage of this type of leadership style is that it helps the company in making a quick decision as the decision is centralized with the leader. This leadership style makes it difficult to correct poor results. 8. One of the hallmarks of autocratic leadership is that the leader comes to his decisions quickly. There is nothing complicated about the autocratic leadership style. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Autocracy: Leadership is a crucial talent that can be applied to any profession or career as the case may be, and there are several leadership styles to choose from. But, this lacks in autocratic organizations. They prefer to set their objectives, plan of action, processes and methods independently. 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. Characteristics of autocratic leadership style. In . Safeguarding Mental Health in the Gig Economy Strengths of Laissez-Faire Leaders 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. They can switch back to a more delegative approach as team members gain more experience. Did you ever invite him for a drink? Because of the strict method in which employees are micromanaged, there is no room for flexibility within the work environment. 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. It is therefore easy for the autocratic leaders to make the organisational goals clear to the subordinates resulting in better and higher commitment to the accomplishment of the goals. Business, sports, politics, and many other fields have witnessed a great number of autocratic leaders throughout the history. 10. Autocratic leadership - Definition, Components, Advantage, Disadvantages. As such, here, every employee is abiding by strict discipline. Attner, R. and Plunkett, W. (1994) Introduction to management, 5th edition, California: Wadsworth, Inc. Murphy, M. (2019) Does anyone actually like autocratic leaders? While employees who need clear directive and feedback from their leader tend to do best under an autocrat, more experienced employees often do well in a more autonomous environment. However, excess control can also result in low employee morale and employee engagement. Autocratic leadership is very similar to the authoritarian leadership style. It increases the work burden for the leader. To conclude, though autocratic leadership style has several disadvantages, it can be argued that there are some situations autocratic leadership style should yield better results for organisations. Its main weakness is that it hinges heavily on the abilities and temperament of your employees. 1. And what are autocratic leadership pros and cons? They use their personal experiences to form rules or regulations that translate into step-by-step instructions for workers to follow. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. An autocratic leader focuses less on collecting input from team members and tends to make executive decisions that others are expected to follow. Likewise, it is also very useful when organisations face constant change or a crisis. The productivity levels may be higher, but with no say in the process, resentment will quickly build. This is an advantage because team members can continue projects, move deadlines, and remove obstacles that could negatively impact their overall productivity. For example, the team will have a clear vision of expectations and where their project and company is going. But, the results always lead to corporate success. Workers can benefit from the competencies offered by their leader, replicating productivity by using the leaders knowledge and experience as a workplace asset. Whether this style makes a good leader has been a longstanding debate. There Is No Room for Flexibility. Whether this style makes a good leader has been a longstanding debate. He is a lecturer in Management and Marketing. 3. If that leader does not create a fair working environment, then it is difficult for any employees to change that environment. The result is a more consistent and accurate output. Autocratic leadership involves absolute, authoritarian control over a group of people. Faster decision-making is the key to attaining organizational goals. Each person benefits from the regulated competencies that are offered by the leader. There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or manager. Autocratic leaders are typically trusted with decisions or important tasks. . These types of interactions do not create a sustainable working relationship, which ultimately creates productivity problems as workers experience lower morale levels. It also includes less feedback from the management levels. There may be situations when leaders are less qualified than their subordinates. 9. Leadership styles There are many ways to lead and every leader has his or her own style. Faster decision-making Read more about each of these advantages in detail in our separate post: Laissez-Faire Leadership Advantages. They even need guidance and instruction on how to, to do the given jobs. The main characteristics of autocratic leadership style are as follows: * Autocratic leaders make all the decisions and pass them down to the people under them for implementation. 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. Rules are placed for employees to follow in an autocratic leadership style because there is a need to create consistency. Fewer layers of administration and lesser feedback to look into facilitates swift decision-making in the team. If you liked any of these articles, please feel free to share with others by clicking on the social sharing icons. This is beneficial to reduce role ambiguity among the employees. This can be beneficial for organizations that need to maintain a strong sense of control and predictability. Most of the time Mr. Worth was absent from the rest of the employees, he communicated through his assistant. When there isnt enough time to learn something new or a project must be completed rapidly, this type of leadership is the best option. Because of the vertical or one-way communication channel subordinates do not get the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts. The quality of a team, structure, or organization practicing autocratic leadership is dependent upon the ethics of the leader in charge. The employees need not wait for the thumbs up from seniors or ask for a deadline extension if they can get all the approvals and data on time. Autocratic leadership style works better in situations where swift decisions are needed. After all, this is what good leadership is all about. Moreover, the instructions will go straight to the employees. Many leaders use autocratic leadership style to establish centralised control in exercising the decision-making authority and use that control to accomplish the desired results. The biggest problem is, no one talks about innovation and out-of-the-box ideas in this leadership style. According to Startingbusiness.com, a significant drawback to working with an autocratic leader is the lack of flexibility in the workplace. Second, autocratic leadership gives the leader an enormous amount of power in deciding how the team operates, but this also means increasing responsibility and accountability. If they face a decision in the work they are doing, they are almost forced to go to the leader for advice on what to do instead of making the decision on their own. Did you know that autocratic leadership is great when it comes to handling crises? In, laissez-faire leadership leader gives all power to his subordinates to act on their own. This approach has limitations (as highlighted by other motivational theorists such as Mayo and Herzberg) but it can be effective in certain situations. There are two reasons why the autocratic leadership style encourages an overall lack of accountability. The ultimate democratic system occurs when decisions are made based on the majority view of all workers. So, there are advantages of the autocratic leadership style for the employees, too. Starting Business: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership, IPL.org: The Challenges of Autocratic Leadership Styles in Organizations and Individuals, Risk Vs. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. If an autocratic leader is put in charge of an inexperienced team, theyll be able to get the job done by outlining specific instructions to follow. 4. In this article, we outline some essential autocratic leadership pros and cons. for the employees, too. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. This system leaves the employees stress-free. Through goremotely.net, stats reveal that 78% of the employees want to quit their jobs due to lack of recognition. One of the benefits of autocratic leadership is that it can help an inexperienced team achieve goals that they wouldn't be able to do alone. They may sometimes ask their team members to provide feedback, however, the feedback is highly unlikely to change the decisions. In such organizations, the leader has a small number of tasks to handle and the number of employees is also few. List of the Disadvantages of a Democratic Leadership Style. Understanding autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses can be easier when one understands exactly which kinds of behaviors constitute autocratic leadership. The communication in the autocratic leadership can be considered as "one-way" ( the manager say . Let's explore whether an autocratic leadership style is the right one for you: Benefits of Autocratic Leadership Style. ", 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. employees also do not show their commitment to the organizational purpose. Autocratic leaders dont deal with the hassle of multiple leadership levels. Autocratic leaders ignore the skills of competent workers. To be a great authentic leader, you should accept yourself for who you truly are. 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. Such a group process usually, takes a longer time to come to decision. They wont get blamed if it fails and they wont get credit if it succeeds. Check out Harappas, Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. A work environment where autocratic leadership style is exercised is usually not friendly to innovation or creative thinking. Also, graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA in Business & Management Studies and completed a DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Life-Long Learning Sector) from London South Bank University. Some are strict with their staff and like to be in complete control, whilst others are more relaxed and allow workers the freedom to run their own working lives (just like the different approaches you may see in teachers!). For many it is someone who can inspire and get the most from their staff. It reduces the amount of group input received. Workers become dependent on someone else to make decisions. One of the disadvantages of autocratic leadership is that it degrades the employees morale and motivation. 2002-2023 Tutor2u Limited. There are high levels of frustration often found in an autocratic environment, even if workers are inexperienced. The employees need not wait for the thumbs up from seniors or ask for a deadline extension if they can get all the approvals and data on time. What makes a good leader or manager? Instead of there being a democratic process for teams, there are no group positions of leadership with the autocratic style. As autocratic leaders usually make decisions without consulting their team members, it may cause team members dislike towards the leadership. Among all the recognized autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses, perhaps one of the most prominent is that this leadership style can cause employees to resent their leader and even their organization. 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. When controlling large numbers of low skilled workers. Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. There are fewer delays because best practices are being followed consistently. This can lead to burnout. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. When there are multiple levels of leadership within an organization, a command from the top becomes like a childhood game of Telephone. Employees who prefer some authority and decision-making powers in the team might not appreciate autocratic leadership. 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. To bring in information to the group members. Advantages of Autocratic Leadership Quick Decision Making. Essentially, no one will be confused about the direction of a company or even the specific assignment they are working on. With a clear corporate hierarchy in place, every member of the organization knows not only who they report to, but who their boss reports to. Safety is a top priority within the autocratic leadership style. An autocratic leader is well-equipped to deal with a crisis situation. Good leaders can produce great results. Inexperienced employees need a detailed layout and instructions to complete taskstraits an autocratic leader is known for. Autocratic leaders do not take input from other members of a team in their decisions. Moreover, the instructions will go straight to the employees. 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 Have the desire to achieve great things More Cautious Professionals operating under this leadership can have lower confidence and slower decision-making skills. That creates a positive impact on the work environment, which leads to more accurate work and consistent production. In many ways, it could be described as, Do it my way or go hit the highway. Workers get the job done, or else they go find a different job. This form serves well when the . All rights reserved LCHW. - good style for meetings. Company Reg no: 04489574. All operations, methods, processes and delegations are decided by the autocratic leader and only by him. The correct leadership approach used at the right time will foster a long-term employeeleader relationship. Autocratic leaders are often charged with information movement. However, this leadership style become less effective in large organizations. That means workers tend to not take ownership of the work they do because there is no incentive to do so. Lindsay Kramer has been a small business owner since 2014. They, therefore, make all the strategic decisions without any or extremely little inputs from the people who work under them. The laissez-faire or free reign leader scarcely provides direction to his team members. 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. A military leader who cannot make executive decisions can cause a security breach during critical operations, and military personnel who do not receive clear, direct orders from their leaders can become confused and fail to act when necessary. 6. Create a leadership learning plan. It encourages a higher churn rate. The Disadvantages of Impulsive Management, Management Styles That Elevate vs. Devalue Employees. 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. Did you ever tell him about your awesome weekend? Situations such as dealing with hazardous materials spill and closing or keeping a business open during an accident can be dealt with instantly and effectively with this style of leadership. List of the Disadvantages of Authoritarian Leadership It may cause some employees to rebel. After all, this is what good leadership is all about. One of the primary characteristics of autocratic leadership is a clearly defined chain of command. An autocratic leader is well-equipped to deal with a crisis situation. This working environment can leave employees feeling suppressed. - consultative although the manager will have the final say. Advantages of Autocratic Leadership . On the other hand, employees are responsible for following instructions and meeting deadlines. They will delegate to them the authority to do this (empowerment) and listen to their advice. Autocratic leadership always encourages one-way communication to eliminate this problem. Although an autocratic leader can have a challenging personality, most employees prefer to work in an environment where there are clear expectations set for them. Disadvantages. You may also like reading Advantages and disadvantages of private limited company. There are some work environments which require a high level of control. Many prime ministers and presidents around the world are also well-known for their autocratic style. Although their primary aim should be to achieve business goals, as leaders, it is also their responsibility to add value to employees. . Downsides of Autocratic Leadership While autocratic leadership can be beneficial at times, there are also many instances where this leadership style can be problematic. This is yet another of the several, advantages of autocratic leadership style. Autocratic - cause frustration and resentment because the system is so dependent on the leader and because of the non-participation if workers . That means leaders using this style tend to be busier than other leaders. If the leader offers questionable ethics, however, and refuses to create fairness, then there is no one who can really hold that person accountable. He has the sole authority to command, direct, and instruct all the team members. 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. Since autocratic leadership ensures clearly defined structures, it clearly states what to do and how to do it. The autocratic style provides fast crisis management benefits. Your email address will not be published. Both leadership styles are very well known and are often used due to . Even if the leader is not knowledgeable in the area, they are forced into a position where they must decide. Hence, he ensures that the products manufactured and services rendered meet the desired quality benchmarks. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. At the end of the day, the autocratic leader is like the captain of a ship: every decision is a weight on their shoulders and they are ultimately responsible for what happens. You must have seen people with varied working styles, ways of talking, and traits. People who step out of this line are quickly identified and brought back into the fold. This approach derives from the views of Taylor as to how to motivate workers and relates to McGregor's theory X view of workers.
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