Autocratic Leadership Style

Author: Team xMonks | Published on: Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:26:52 +0000

What Is the Concept of Autocratic Leadership?

Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership, is a system where one individual, typically a "boss," holds the majority, if not all, control over workload and duty distribution. This leadership style prioritizes individual decision-making, disregarding the opinions of team members. Autocratic leaders determine operations, methods, procedures, and delegation, making it the direct opposite of democratic leadership.

Benefits That Come With Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership persists for a reason. This style can be effective under pressure, allowing for quick decision-making and providing clear instructions. An autocratic leader with a clear vision can motivate a divided group. Many organizations have embraced this style, particularly when facing urgent situations and needing to produce results quickly.

Research, such as the paper "The Positive Effect of Authoritarian Leadership on Employee Performance: The Moderating Role of Power Distance," has explored the advantages of this style. The study suggests that:

1. Specific goals set by autocratic leaders provide employees with a clear direction, reducing uncertainty and motivating performance.
2. Authoritarian leaders foster a strong sense of group identity, which encourages employees to perform at a higher level.
3. Autocratic leaders typically set high performance standards, demanding excellence and motivating employees to deliver outstanding results.

While autocratic leaders provide a clear structure and direction, they tend to discourage open communication and feedback.

Drawbacks of Autocratic Leadership

While autocratic leadership might seem advantageous in certain situations, it has significant drawbacks. Employees in autocratic organizations often feel demoralized due to a lack of trust and decision-making power. The structured work environment can stifle creativity and innovation, leaving employees with little room for personal development or contributing ideas.

Competencies of Autocratic Leadership

According to The Leadership Circle's 360-degree profile, autocratic leaders possess competencies commonly associated with effective leaders, often driven by a need for control and achievement. Key competencies include:

Controlling

• Perfect: The leader strives for flawless results and extremely high standards to feel secure and worthwhile.
• Driven: The leader believes worth and security are tied to accomplishing a great deal through hard work.
• Ambition: The leader needs to get ahead, move up, and be better than others, often driven by a competitive spirit.
• Autocratic: The leader is forceful, aggressive, and controlling, seeking power and dominance.

Achieving

• Strategic Focus: The leader thinks and plans strategically for long-term organizational success.
• Purposeful & Visionary: The leader is goal-oriented and has a track record of achieving high performance.
• Achieves Results: The leader focuses on achieving goals and delivering results.
• Decisiveness: The leader makes decisions on time and is comfortable with uncertainty.

Protecting

• Arrogance: The leader projects a large ego, often perceived as superior, egotistical, and self-centered.
• Critical: The leader maintains a critical, questioning, and cynical attitude.
• Distance: The leader seeks worth and security through withdrawal, remaining aloof and emotionally distant.