advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership tutor2u advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership tutor2u

You may also like reading Advantages and disadvantages of private limited company. Employee morale can also be negatively affected when autocratic leadership is employed. Here are the pros and cons of autocracy: Pros of autocracy There are many benefits of autocracy, including: Increasing productivity: Autocracy can increase productivity, especially when subordinates don't have advanced skills or training yet. The theory, which is generally linked with autocratic leadership, assumes employees don't like to work and tend to focus on fulfilling self-interests. Provides a clear sense of direction Anyone who's worked on a class group project knows the value of having a leader. All the standard operating procedures are also followed. High clarity on structure and roles Organizations with autocratic leaders usually have very clear lines and borders in between different areas. 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 They consult employees over issues and listen to their feedback or opinions. 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. Pros This helps to resolve the emergencies rather effectively when compared to other leadership styles. Autocratic - cause frustration and resentment because the system is so dependent on the leader and because of the non-participation if workers . Your email address will not be published. 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. If that leader goes away, then the team is unable to function because they were focused on their role. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership to consider. 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. A team can become so dependent upon the leader that they stop functioning when their directions are no longer present. Each level of management can inadvertently (or purposely) put their own spin on the communication come from the leadership. Attner, R. and Plunkett, W. (1994) Introduction to management, 5th edition, California: Wadsworth, Inc. Murphy, M. (2019) Does anyone actually like autocratic leaders? In addition, the leaders directly communicate to their followers where the work is to be done. Through close supervision and an emphasis on order and discipline, the autocratic leadership style allows everyone to focus on specific goals or targets to reach. When a team leaders style can be summarized with my way or the highway, that leader can accurately be called an autocrat. A work environment where autocratic leadership style is exercised is usually not friendly to innovation or creative thinking. Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. Employees, in turn, learn discipline and consistency from their leader. the us american football coach vince lombardi is an example. Autocratic leadership has a clearly defined chain of command. 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 . 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. 2002-2023 Tutor2u Limited. Since organisation is key to a well-operated business, autocratic leadership can prove useful in situations where the organisation could advance within the company. Employees, in turn, learn discipline and consistency from their leader. This leadership style can produce authoritative short-term results. 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. It may create an unwelcome culture within the organization. Faster decision-making Read more about each of these advantages in detail in our separate post: Laissez-Faire Leadership Advantages. It allows for fast decisions to be made. Autocratic leaders do not take input from other members of a team in their decisions. 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. 214 High Street, They get to take all the credit for the work that gets done. Leaders are of different types. You must have seen people with varied working styles, ways of talking, and traits. Therefore, leaders who exercise autocratic leadership should follow a balanced process to attain organizational objectives. ", 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 do not get recognition for their efforts. How Procedures Can Improve Efficiency, available at: https://online.stu.edu/articles/education/autocratic-leadership.aspx (accessed 06 April 2021). Explains that autocratic leadership is a style often associated with the world of sports. Even if the leader is not knowledgeable in the area, they are forced into a position where they must decide. However, this does not mean you should be satisfied with your current self and avoid growth. Leaders are of different types. 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. 6. Workers can benefit from the competencies offered by their leader, replicating productivity by using the leaders knowledge and experience as a workplace asset. Inexperienced employees lack the ability to understand the outlined rules and regulations of the organization. There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or manager. In a system of dependence, an autocratic leadership style creates a lack of trust between you and your workers. Understanding autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses can be easier when one understands exactly which kinds of behaviors constitute autocratic leadership. Strong sense of control and direction: Autocratic leaders provide clear direction and expectations for their team members, which can create a sense of order and stability. On the other hand, employees are responsible for following instructions and meeting deadlines. * The leaders set rules, and systems for their team members. Moreover, the instructions will go straight to the employees. It also explores the definitions of autocratic leadership style and provides the readers with a list of characteristics and examples of autocratic leaders from different fields. But rarely do employees know that there are several benefits of autocratic leadership. Advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership pdf It would be a great world if everyone could work together cohesively, pushing a business to its desired goal. Charismatic leaders are usually adaptable and possess the power to make the followers feel comfortable with . They even need guidance and instruction on how to, to do the given jobs. 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. 2. Leaders do not concern about whether or not subordinates are satisfied with their actions and instructions. The manager will however make the actual decisions (in the best interests of the workers) as they believe the staff still need direction and in this way it is still somewhat of an autocratic approach. Autocratic leaders tend to do well in these settings because they ensure that projects are finished on time and that workers follow safety rules to prevent accidents and injuries. This leadership style doesnt have a specific training forum to attend or require knowledge of a specific theory of leadership. Autocratic leadership always encourages one-way communication to eliminate this problem. If that leader does not create a fair working environment, then it is difficult for any employees to change that environment. Through goremotely.net, stats reveal that 78% of the employees want to quit their jobs due to lack of recognition. 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. Experienced, skilled workers tend to do better in an environment where their leader asks for their input in decision-making or even leaves decision-making entirely up to them. An autocratic. Autocratic leaders generally believe that they are the smartest people around and know more than their subordinates. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. Humans are by nature different from each other; still, experts try to categorize them into various segments. But this might not be possible with an autocratic leadership style. in a time of crises). What leads to a successful working relationship is an ability of workers to have trust in their leaders, and vice-versa. This style tends to decrease employee performance when additional duties are imposed on the employees without consultation. 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. It is a leadership style that is very easy to learn. If yes, then the best way to manage such teams is through autocratic leadership. Fewer layers of administration and lesser feedback to look into facilitates swift decision-making in the team. In workplaces where the employees are largely young and inexperienced, autocratic leadership can be the most effective approach. 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. M Rahman writes extensively online and offline with an emphasis on business management, marketing, and tourism. The result is an unhappy workforce. Succession planning can be defined asa business strategy organizations use to pass leadership roles down to another employee or group of employees. An autocratic leader focuses less on collecting input from team members and tends to make executive decisions that others are expected to follow. How was that going for you? Though autocratic leadership style is often criticised, it is true that many historic autocratic leaders have been innovators who unleashed revolutions in different fields. List of the Advantages of Autocratic Leadership 1. But, what is autocratic leadership? Many analysts argue that late Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple Inc.), Elon Musk, and to some extent Bill Gates are autocratic leaders. Pros of Autocracy The following sections below demonstrate. Cons of autocratic leadership. Do you have to be born with the correct qualities or can you be taught to be a good leader? Company Reg no: 04489574. The quality of a team, structure, or organization practicing autocratic leadership is dependent upon the ethics of the leader in charge. 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. Individual decision making: Less competent sub-managers can be used only to carry out the orders of the boss. They wont get blamed if it fails and they wont get credit if it succeeds. That means workers who are highly skilled or motivated begin to lose their incentives to stay active under this leadership structure. In a negative work environment, they also have the power to micromanage, enforce employee dependence, bully and generally mistreat their team. They may sometimes ask their team members to provide feedback, however, the feedback is highly unlikely to change the decisions. Decentralisation and Leadership Styles (AQA Paper 1 2019, Q20) Exam Support What is leadership? Autocratic - quick decision making is guaranteed; Autocratic - good for inexperienced workers; . This leaves little room for miscommunication and messages getting lost in transit. That means leaders using this style tend to be busier than other leaders. 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. We all had, in one job or another, a boss who was feared by everyone. Do you know why? To bring in information to the group members. The decision can be made faster with this leadership style. Your email address will not be published. When an autocratic leader is consistent with their ethics and is determined to create a fair working environment, then there can be a lot of positives for workers in a company. Inexperienced employees need a detailed layout and instructions to complete taskstraits an autocratic leader is known for. Because this leadership creates a system of dependence. According to IPL.org, autocratic leadership is an extreme form of another kind of workplace leadership known as transactional leadership. This is yet another of the several advantages of autocratic leadership style. Autocratic leaders take the pressure off of their teams because they are fully responsible for the decisions that are made. In this article, we outline some essential, This leadership style enables quick decision-making, which is one of the most significant. Autocratic leadership Advantages And Disadvantages. - encourages independence and creativity. Such strict discipline ensures timely work completion of the organization. 1. Managers must be willing to encourage leadership skills in subordinates. And, you know discipline is the key to achieving something. advantages of democratic leadership. But, what is autocratic leadership? Some of the more common styles include autocratic, bureaucratic, democratic, and laissez-faire. In, laissez-faire leadership leader gives all power to his subordinates to act on their own. In high-pressure, high-stakes situations like buying and selling real estate, an autocratic leader who has the knowledge necessary to make profitable choices can be a companys greatest asset. Organisational continuity is threatened in the absence of the leader . Consequence in Leadership Styles, The Disadvantages of Emotional Leadership, Clear separation of leader and subordinate roles, Clearly defined performance expectations for all team members, Consequences for failure to comply with expectations, Specific processes for performing workplace tasks, Strict adherence to established rules and policies, Tom Petty, founder of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Helen Gurley Brown, former editor-in-chief of, Ridley Scott, critically acclaimed filmmaker, Vince Lombardi, former Green Bay Packers coach. 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. 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. After all, this is what good leadership is all about. They can easily manage these issues because theyre the only ones who get to call the shots. The procedures and rules might seem rigid. Communication is the systematic process of passing information from one person to another. Therefore, they may not contribute to the team efforts as they should. However, this leadership style become less effective in large organizations. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. 1. To be effective, the leader must be able to have proven competencies in their field, as they are responsible for making most of the decisions in the workplace. So, what are the autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages? 2. A review of the teams work falls on their shoulders. List of the Disadvantages of Authoritarian Leadership It may cause some employees to rebel. When the autocratic leadership style is used with an inexperienced team, the experience of the leader can replace the skill gap that is present. In such organizations, employees are highly experienced and knowledgeable and they tend to work in a democratic environment instead of an autocratic environment. The retention rate can increase 4. Although in authoritarian leadership, there is one-way communication there also exists effective communication. Autocratic leaders are often charged with information movement. Contrast this with an autocratic leader, who does not ask their team for their input when making a decision. Advantages of autocratic leadership style. Inexperienced teams can still produce experienced results. As only the leader makes decisions, the management may or may not provide feedback. "An organisation is only as good as the person running it". Advantages of Autocratic Leadership Quick Decision Making. This can be achieved by reviewing autocratic leadership examples. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. support and direction. 8. Autocratic leaders have imperious or commanding personalities. 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. St. Thomas University: What is Democratic/Participative Leadership? What is Laissez-Faire Leadership? This is because they do not consult any other members of their team, so they dont have to wait for other opinions or work through different perspectives to find an appropriate compromise. That need is generated by an overall lack of trust. As such, between them, there is no communication and you know communication is a must for a healthy relationship. 1. send our content editing team a message here, 11 Office Closed Due to Inclement Weather Messages, 50 Most Asked Nursing Interview Questions with Answers, 20 Best Answers to Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job, 10 Best Answers to Why Do You Want to Be a Manager, 11 Best Answers to What Does Leadership Mean to You Interview Question, 50 Most Asked Front Desk Interview Questions with Answers, 10 Best Ways to Answer Sell Me This Pen in an Interview, 10 Most Asked Integrity Interview Questions with Answers, 25 Most Asked Confidentiality Interview Questions with Answers, 50 Most Asked Phone Interview Questions with Answers, 10 Best Answers to What Are Your Interests and Hobbies. People who rely on this leadership style are often viewed as dictators or bossy. Each person benefits from the regulated competencies that are offered by the leader. This working environment can leave employees feeling suppressed. 7. 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 . Even if low-skill tasks need to get done, it is the leaders responsibility to make sure someone makes copies, gets coffee, or files documents properly. 1. If you liked any of these articles, please feel free to share with others by clicking on the social sharing icons. 9. Although their primary aim should be to achieve business goals, as leaders, it is also their responsibility to add value to employees. They can replicate results because they are given specific instructions to follow. It also includes less feedback from the management levels. This form serves well when the . According to St. Thomas University, democratic leadership is defined by mutual respect between the manager and their team members. Disadvantages: Autocratic leadership involves absolute, authoritarian control over a group of people. Both leadership styles are very well known and are often used due to . The ultimate democratic system occurs when decisions are made based on the majority view of all workers. Leadership styles There are many ways to lead and every leader has his or her own style. Advantages of Autocratic Leadership Quick Decision-Making Clearly Defined Structure Timely Work Completion Effective Communication Easy Acceptance Right for Inexperienced Employees Increased Efficiency and Productivity Suitable for Small Organizations Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership Less Morale and Motivation High Turnover Low Satisfaction Autocratic leadership, however, has always been under the scanner. If there isnt enough time to develop personal skills or learn something new, then autocratic leaders are still able to get the job done. 7. Because of one-way communication and lack of recognition employees do not get the answers to the questions they deserve. It is one of the best. So, there are. They may also feel that the leadership does not care about their needs and desires which is unproductive for organisations. These. Team members may have opportunities to provide feedback; however, their feedback is highly unlikely to change the course of action. Autocratic leadership style ensures that a consistent message is sent from the centre to the employees at the bottom of the organisations. Here're some benefits of autocratic leadership: Ensures faster decision making In autocratic leadership, there're fewer levels of administration and hierarchy that you inform before implementing the decision. Likewise, it is also very useful when organisations face constant change or a crisis. People who step out of this line are quickly identified and brought back into the fold. democratic leadership. By the autocratic leadership principle, people who work in an autocratic organization or under an autocratic leader must accept the order, instruction, and command of the leader. Strict compliance becomes necessary. Autocratic style leads to frustration, low morale and conflict among subordinates. This can be beneficial for organizations that need to maintain a strong sense of control and predictability. Team members have creative freedom 3. for the employees, too. Over time, this makes employee morale begin to sink. They arent required to wait for the feedback from senior managers or consult with a leadership team. It is an easy way to cut through administrative red tape to ensure better communication to all workers. Check out Harappas, Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. This is one of the autocratic leader strengths and weaknesses that is highly dependent on the workplace environment. In . St. Thomas University: What is Autocratic Leadership? Whether this style makes a good leader has been a longstanding debate. The three commonly observed leadership . Laissez-Faire. They know themselves very well and try to bring people together to achieve the organisational goals. This leadership style makes it difficult to correct poor results. Business english 13. Definition, Types, Reasons, and Ways To Overcome, What is Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle? Starting Business: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership, IPL.org: The Challenges of Autocratic Leadership Styles in Organizations and Individuals, Risk Vs. 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. Workers are forced to rely on the autocratic leader for all their feedback, instructions, and work duties.