It can enhance decision-making and make the operational aspects of a business run smoother. For good and for bad, Stewart is told to scrutinize her employees with a magnifying glass and make sure everything is done according to her rules. Through an authoritarian style of leadership, efficiency increases among such employees as the procedures and processes of the organization are precisely defined and enforced. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For example, it can make new workers feel less worried about making mistakes, as they know guidance and supervision will ensure they are doing a good job. Even if the employee is able to voice opinions, but these opinions are never listened to, the morale for showing up to work can decrease. When something could be dangerous and harm either team members or the general public—autocratic leadership is often essential. In his blog post on consistency, James Clear advices people to not only focus on being consistent, but prepare for failure as well. One important aspect of communication is regarding changes in the organization or the operational procedures. As with other leadership styles, there are autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages that can have a significant impact on a leader’s employees’ careers as well as her own. Say 10 new employees are heading up an entirely new division of a company, and they’ve never worked in the company or in this type of position before. It’s more of an organic leadership style, which has developed over time. When stress is high and there is a lot on the line, autocratic leadership is often the only solution. Autocratic leadership can manifest in different ways. The most effective leaders are the leaders who motivate their teams to meet goals and get the job done. When it comes to learning how to be an effective leader, there is no end to the different tips, suggestions and promoted leadership styles out there. Skyrocket your resume, interview performance, and salary negotiation skills. Autocratic leadership is therefore beneficial to industries and organizations that require quick thinking, such as healthcare. The most effective leaders are the leaders who motivate their teams to meet goals and get the job done. This ensures the subordinates can just focus on the tasks they are provided with. Even if this isn’t your normal leadership style or a type of leading that you feel comfortable with, knowing the situations where this type of leadership can prevail can help you be a more balanced and well-rounded leader for others. As the leader alone is in charge of the decisions, the implementation of them can be swift. In a workplace headed by an autocratic leader, employees might even be afraid to express their needs. This was the case in terms of Blue Cross of California. In Harvard Business Review article, The Leadership Journey, he wrote about his approach: “When a business needs to change relatively quickly, it’s much more important to just make a decision and get people moving than it is to take the time to conduct a thorough analysis and attempt to influence others to come around to your way of thinking. For example, he suggested the style would work well in environments that require large-scale production or have a number of unskilled workers in place. Before we examine the core characteristics of autocratic leadership in terms of the four key characteristics of the theory and the way autocratic leadership can manifest, it’s auspicious to consider the theoretical basis of the leadership style: Douglas McGregor’s Theory X. Autocratic leadership style closely rests on the assumptions made in Douglas McGregor’s Theory X. asserted that leadership style is the characteristic way in which a leader relates with his staff and. 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. “Just because I say so” is not a statement autocratic leaders should use, although it doesn’t mean you need to go around justifying every single decision either. It’s essential to understand this doesn’t necessarily mean the leader wouldn’t ask for input or consider the group’s wellbeing when making the decisions. This is further enhanced by scrutiny of the individuals in certain situations, such as when the workforce is low skilled. Whether or not the subordinates have power in making-decisions, understanding the vision, and the approach will make it easier for them to succeed. A Theory X leader typically exhibits autocratic leadership style and permits little, if any, staff. Finally, as a leader, you must be accountable and avoid passing the blame to others. There are also many environments where using this management style can actually do more harm than good, which is why so many organizations are now adopting more collaborative and nurturing management styles. If the person feels detached from the process, the willingness to perform well can deteriorate. But this shouldn’t make the leader inflexible. As the above has hopefully shown, autocratic leadership shouldn’t equate to tyranny in the workplace. As we’ve seen above, autocratic leadership still has its benefits and therefore a place in today’s world. Limited or no input from the subordinates. The theory explains why people behave the way they do and if they are acting in a particular way, what kind of leadership style would be beneficial for them. While in many situations, having an autocratic leader can seem like a negative, there are some benefits to this form of leadership. It can take time for an individual to find a leadership style that works for him. Since the leadership style can be rather difficult in terms of motivating the subordinates, an inconsistent approach to leadership could cause more confusion and resistance within the team. The rigid environment can lead to a culture where subordinates do what they are told – nothing more, nothing less.