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

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. - the leader respects other peoples opinions and feedback. He is a lecturer in Management and Marketing. However, this leadership style become less effective in large organizations. Charismatic leaders usually display a great level of confidence to convince a large audience. Leaders are of different types. This improves the speed of decisions because only one person is weighing the pros and cons of each choice, not a C-Suite. 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. Autocratic leadership is a suitable option for small-sized organizations where a single leader can handle all the matters easily. Low satisfaction also results in below performance than expectations. 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. Inexperienced employees need a detailed layout and instructions to complete taskstraits an autocratic leader is known for. 10. Everything rests with the leader. 214 High Street, for the employees, too. Advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership style. * Very limited or no input at all from the subordinates. The quality of a team, structure, or organization practicing autocratic leadership is dependent upon the ethics of the leader in charge. Autocratic leaders have the opportunity to take full control, responsibility and stress and build and maintain a productive operation. 2. Sources: 9. Every leadership style comes with some benefits and weaknesses. This is yet another of the several advantages of autocratic leadership style. 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 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. Both issues decrease worker morale and put blame on someone, even though the issue may not be their fault. Business english 13. Although they set their rules and regulations to control the team, they also play a significant role in eradicating employee stress. Autocratic leadership is very similar to the authoritarian leadership style. 1. Within autocratic structures, there may not be anyone who has the authority to make a rogue leader accountable to the company to stop their behavior. 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. This helps to resolve the emergencies rather effectively when compared to other leadership styles. Did you know that autocratic leadership is great when it comes to handling crises? They get to take all the credit for the work that gets done. 8. 9. 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. Every crisis or decision lies on their shoulders. Only the leader will weigh the pros and cons of every option instead of the entire C-suite. An autocratic. 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. Many prime ministers and presidents around the world are also well-known for their autocratic style. Leader Dependence. That means many leaders practicing this leadership style eventually turn into micromanagers, even if that is not their intent. That means there is a priority on consistency, with each team member performing their job functions in a similar way. Characteristics of autocratic leadership style. In addition, the leaders directly communicate to their followers where the work is to be done. Find out more. Boston Spa, St. Thomas University: What is Democratic/Participative Leadership? Leaders do not concern about whether or not subordinates are satisfied with their actions and instructions. 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. To be a great authentic leader, you should accept yourself for who you truly are. Autocratic leaders are able to handle a crisis situation easily because they are the ones who are in charge. Autocratic leaders generally could use organizational . Although the autocratic leadership style is often viewed as being a directive relationship between the leader and the team member, there are two other varieties found with this style. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. All operations, methods, processes and delegations are decided by the autocratic leader and only by him. You must have seen people with varied working styles, ways of talking, and traits. That creates a positive impact on the work environment, which leads to more accurate work and consistent production. - They are in complete . Autocratic leaders have imperious or commanding personalities. But rarely do employees know that there are several. All rights reserved LCHW. We hope the article Advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership style has been helpful. Their expertise becomes an asset to the company, even being able to fill-in during a shortfall to immediately correct a problem in virtually any situation. Humans are by nature different from each other; still, experts try to categorize them into various segments. Autocratic leaders cant make trust a priority because they are forced to make the rules be the priority. Decisions can be made faster with this leadership style. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. An autocratic leadership style is similar to an authoritarian leadership style. It can be a joyless experience for team members. Despite facing criticism, there are some tangible benefits that an autocratic leader brings to the company. Some employees dont like the idea of being asked to make an important decision about the future of the company. Autocratic leadership, characterized by this centralized style of leadership, is an important concept in business, economics and politics. Autocratic style leads to frustration, low morale and conflict among subordinates. Study Notes Management Styles in a Business (GCSE) Study Notes Leadership Topic Videos Leadership Styles: Blake Mouton Managerial Grid Topic Videos The work culture is based solely on the ethics and morality of the leader, which means a poor working environment is not likely to change. When the autocratic leadership style is used with an inexperienced team, the experience of the leader can replace the skill gap that is present. As such, in autocratic leadership, faster decisions can be made. Definitions of autocratic leadership style. Productivity levels can see increases with this leadership style. - They don't have group members, they have followers. Inexperienced employees lack the ability to understand the outlined rules and regulations of the organization. When a leader is asked to operate in an authoritarian manner, it is difficult to turn that role on and off on-demand. Cons of autocratic leadership. Do you know why? 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. Advantages of autocratic leadership style. For example, a communication style that can be considered barking orders can be critical in high-stakes environments, like among paramedics, but destructive in collaborative environments like university departments. As such, it becomes the right choice for employees who thrive when they are told what to do. 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. 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. It may impair the morale of the group. By the time the information reaches the front-line employees doing most of the work, the entire original message could be lost. St. Thomas University: What is Autocratic Leadership? Therefore, they may not contribute to the team efforts as they should. 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. Every leadership style comes with some benefits and weaknesses. The autocratic leadership style should not be used when: Employees become tense, fearful, or resentful Employees expect to have their opinions heard Employees begin depending on their manager to make all their decisions There is low employee morale, high turnover and absenteeism 2.1.1 Advantages of Autocratic Style of Leadership And what are autocratic leadership pros and cons? This leaves little room for miscommunication and messages getting lost in transit. If yes, then the best way to manage such teams is through autocratic leadership. 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. This can lead to burnout. Subordinates tend to shirk responsibility and initiative. In this type of leadership, the rules and procedures that teams use are quite rigid. In this article, we outline some essential autocratic leadership pros and cons. That is because there is one person and they are in charge of all arrangements. Good leaders can produce great results. This lack of adaptability within your workforce can . Managers are interested in how happy workers feel and in many ways they act as a father figure (pater means father in Latin). However, this does not mean you should be satisfied with your current self and avoid growth. 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. Advantages of Autocratic Leadership . Company Reg no: 04489574. In this article, we outline some essential, This leadership style enables quick decision-making, which is one of the most significant. The lack of flexibility in environments headed by autocratic leaders can drive creative and motivated employees away. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership to consider. Safeguarding Mental Health in the Gig Economy Strengths of Laissez-Faire Leaders What is autocratic leadership and its advantages? - encourages independence and creativity. Advantages and Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership: The advantages of Autocratic leadership are that it allows for fast and effective decisions in a crisis situation, this is due to the ability of make quick decisions without having to discuss amongst team members which wastes valuable time. If yes, then the best way to manage such teams is through autocratic leadership. Such a group process usually, takes a longer time to come to decision. They are the managerial equivalent of an emergency room surgeon who is forced to do whatever necessary to save a patients life. 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. One of the disadvantages of autocratic leadership is that it degrades the employees morale and motivation. Pros of autocratic leadership When there is an autocratic leadership established within an organization, there are fewer levels of administration that must be kept informed of each decision. Dependent on the leader: Organizational success is entirely dependent on the leader and their ideas, which can endanger the stability of the organization. Full potential of subordinates and their creative ideas are not utilized. These types of leaders are known as democratic leaders and laissez-faire leaders, respectively. List of the Disadvantages of Authoritarian Leadership It may cause some employees to rebel. 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. Check out Harappas Inspiring Faculty Program and experience growth in your leadership now. She's no stranger to the wild ride that running a business can be, but that doesn't mean she's done learningevery day, it's something different when you're in the driver's seat. There are some work environments which require a high level of control. In autocratic organizations, there are clearly defined tasks, roles, rules, and deadlines to follow. 4. The first involves the work that gets done. If there isnt enough time to develop personal skills or learn something new, then autocratic leaders are still able to get the job done. Bad leaders can put a company out of business. This working environment can leave employees feeling suppressed. As such people working under autocratic leaders are supposed to accept the guidance or orders of their leader without any disagreement. There are three main categories of leadership styles: autocratic, paternalistic and democratic. Faster decision-making is the key to attaining organizational goals. Faster decision-making and quick information-sharing can help boost the teams productivity. This leadership style can produce authoritative short-term results. There are numerous autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses and sometimes, a characteristic thats a strength in one scenario is a weakness in another. Autocratic - cause frustration and resentment because the system is so dependent on the leader and because of the non-participation if workers . You can be an authentic leader; you constantly grow and betters yourself. This can mean the only employees who remain working with the company are unmotivated and even lazy individuals. Managers with this type of leadership style, keep a close eye on what is happening in their organisations. According to goremotley.net, around 83% of employers feel that it is crucial to create leaders at all levels. Individual decision making: Less competent sub-managers can be used only to carry out the orders of the boss. It is a leadership style that is based on a lack of trust. Inexperienced teams can still produce experienced results. 6. 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. This approach derives from the views of Taylor as to how to motivate workers and relates to McGregor's theory X view of workers. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. Boston House, If the leader offers questionable ethics, however, and refuses to create fairness, then there is no one who can really hold that person accountable. But, this lacks in autocratic organizations. There are a number of vital benefits to autocratic leadership, according to the Houston Chronicle. 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. 1. But, the results always lead to corporate success. In addition, in this style of leadership, managers don't take care of the opinions of their staff and ore not open to changes. It gets even worse if workers can voice an opinion that is never utilized. It encourages a higher churn rate. 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 Additionally, a leader like this improves workplace efficiency by instructing staff members on what to do and how to meet deadlines. - consultative although the manager will have the final say. They make the decision first and then announces it. The leader is the only person to take the decision solely as they are in charge . 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. Business, sports, politics, and many other fields have witnessed a great number of autocratic leaders throughout the history. VAT reg no 816865400. And they are accountable for the outcomes. - increases employee satisfaction and motivation. They consult employees over issues and listen to their feedback or opinions. They are bound to follow whatever the leaders ask them. Therefore, leaders who exercise autocratic leadership should follow a balanced process to attain organizational objectives. For example: When quick decisions are needed in a company (e.g. Though autocratic leadership style is often criticised, it is true that many historic autocratic leaders have been innovators who unleashed revolutions in different fields. Benefits of autocratic leadership Here are some of the pros of an autocratic leadership approach. But, in an autocratic environment, there is no employee participation and their concerns are ignored. List of the Advantages of the Autocratic Leadership Style 1. 3. Charismatic leaders are usually adaptable and possess the power to make the followers feel comfortable with . Quick decision: Quick decision making is guaranteed because a single person decides for the whole group. Autocratic leadership is an exchange process, so it is a matter of contingent reinforcement of staff based on performances. Your email address will not be published. Understanding autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses can be easier when one understands exactly which kinds of behaviors constitute autocratic leadership. Fewer layers of administration and lesser feedback to look into facilitates swift decision-making in the team. Employees who prefer some authority and decision-making powers in the team might not appreciate autocratic leadership. Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. This is beneficial to reduce role ambiguity among the employees. Contrary to popular opinions, many organisations are well suited to the autocratic leadership type at some degree. 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. Autocratic leaders are often micromanagers. Some are encouraging and collaborative, while others are commanding and dominating. Motivation and reward for leaders: It provides strong motivation and reward for the leader. It is a leadership style that is very easy to learn. They use their personal experiences to form rules or regulations that translate into step-by-step instructions for workers to follow. in a time of crises). The leader does not have to deal with internal politics or disputes at the decision-making stage. However, this is not feasible for the majority of decisions taken by a business- indeed one of the criticisms of this style is that it can take longer to reach a decision. This is yet another of the several, advantages of autocratic leadership style. Effective communication is when the receiver gets the exact message the sender wants to convey. 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. Employee morale can also be negatively affected when autocratic leadership is employed. Unfortunately, they might not appreciate the advice of their team members. Pros From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors, 11 Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages, Leaders Eat Last Speed Summary: 15 Core Principles, Extreme Ownership Speed Summary (3 Minutes) w/ PDF, Good to Great Speed Summary: 15 Core Principles of, "From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors. This is an advantage because team members can continue projects, move deadlines, and remove obstacles that could negatively impact their overall productivity. The theory, which is generally linked with autocratic leadership, assumes employees don't like to work and tend to focus on fulfilling self-interests. But this might not be possible with an autocratic leadership style. 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. 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. It increases the work burden for the leader. It motivates staff by appealing to their personal desires and on instrumental economic transactions. When there isnt enough time to learn something new or a project must be completed rapidly, this type of leadership is the best option. It is most likely that well-known leaders or managers are successful due to a combination of personal characteristics and good training. Such leaders usually make decisions based on their own judgment and ideas. They may also feel that the leadership does not care about their needs and desires which is unproductive for organisations. So, what are the autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages? If team members are unfamiliar with the process or tasks, leaders are better off taking a more hands-on approach. Did you know that autocratic leadership is great when it comes to handling crises? 1. How was that going for you? Answer (1 of 10): Before I begin, I also tried this type of leadership among newcomers in our Unit. Each person benefits from the regulated competencies that are offered by the leader. For that reason, some entities using this structure create an inheritance chain which allows another person to step into the leadership role right away. They can replicate results because they are given specific instructions to follow. Likewise, it is also very useful when organisations face constant change or a crisis. Khan et al. 5. 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. A work environment where autocratic leadership style is exercised is usually not friendly to innovation or creative thinking. The following are the notable advantages and disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style in the workplace. That consistency leads toward corporate success. Because all decisions are made by the leader, a new leader must be brought in, which requires everyone to start from scratch.