That means all creative decisions originate from the leader. Leaders are of different types. Advantages and Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership If team members are unfamiliar with the process or tasks, leaders are better off taking a more hands-on approach. Increased Work Burden Autocratic leadership - Definition, Components, Advantage This process may create a powerful and positive impact on their performance. There is no doubting where fault lies of poor decisions. In this article, we outline some essential autocratic leadership pros and cons. There are three main categories of leadership styles: autocratic, paternalistic and democratic. 4. It is an easy way to cut through administrative red tape to ensure better communication to all workers. 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 leadership style become less effective in large organizations. The advantages and disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style show that it can be effective when an organization requires quick, accurate decisions from an experienced leader. This requires good two-way communication and often involves democratic discussion groups, which can offer useful suggestions and ideas. In fact, some characteristics of autocratic leadership can be considered advantages in some situations and drawbacks in others. Every crisis or decision lies on their shoulders. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. They must make every decision for the team. Advantages of autocratic leadership Quick Decisions Close Oversight Total Control Streamlined Work Process Easy to Learn The autocratic, or "do this or else," type of leadership is intuitive Good for Inexperienced or Unmotivated Workers./Bad for Highly Skilled and Motivated Workers. 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. Decentralisation and Leadership Styles (AQA Paper 1 2019, Q20) Exam Support What is leadership? These types of leaders are known as democratic leaders and laissez-faire leaders, respectively. Autocratic leadership is defined by a top-down approach when it comes to all decision-making, procedures, and policies within an organization. However, there are some advantages of autocratic leadership as well. Here are the top advantages of autocratic leadership: This leadership style enables quick decision-making, which is one of the most significant benefits of autocratic leadership. 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. Autocratic leaders ignore the skills of competent workers. outline the advantages of this style, such as increased situational control, discipline over workers, short discussions, and group members knowing their roles and tasks. Additionally, a leader like this improves workplace efficiency by instructing staff members on what to do and how to meet deadlines. Pros That consistency leads toward corporate success. Advantages of autocratic leadership style. 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. An autocratic leader makes decisions and communicates them on time, making sure that the team has all the information they need to finish the project on schedule. Advantages Quick decision making: This comes in handy when a leader is governing a small group or business. Provides a clear sense of direction Anyone who's worked on a class group project knows the value of having a leader. Because this leadership creates a system of dependence. When a team leaders style can be summarized with my way or the highway, that leader can accurately be called an autocrat. The following are the notable advantages and disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style in the workplace. 1. This style has close links with Herzberg's motivators and Maslow's higher order skills and also applies to McGregor's theory Y view of workers. Low satisfaction also results in below performance than expectations. As with other leadership styles, there are autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages that can have a significant impact on a leader's employees . 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. When a company crisis occurs, a leader with authoritative traits can begin to call the shots to make immediate changes. Removes employee stress. It reduces the amount of group input received. They can switch back to a more delegative approach as team members gain more experience. Inexperienced employees generally need a lot of hands-on guidance from their supervisors to learn their roles, learn how to perform their job duties effectively and learn how to work well within the organization. But it becomes ineffective in large and diversified organizations. In most autocratic leadership structures, the leader is responsible for every action of the team. This can mean the only employees who remain working with the company are unmotivated and even lazy individuals. Copyright 2017 2025. But rarely do employees know that there are several benefits of autocratic leadership. 1. Autocratic leaders are often micromanagers. Tel: +44 0844 800 0085. Safeguarding Mental Health in the Gig Economy Strengths of Laissez-Faire Leaders The ultimate democratic system occurs when decisions are made based on the majority view of all workers. Faster decision-making is the key to attaining organizational goals. These were the autocratic leadership style advantages and disadvantages. Here are the top advantages of autocratic leadership: Faster Decision-making This leadership style enables quick decision-making, which is one of the most significant benefits of autocratic leadership. Communication is the systematic process of passing information from one person to another. These types of interactions do not create a sustainable working relationship, which ultimately creates productivity problems as workers experience lower morale levels. The leader is the only person to take the decision solely as they are in charge . Humans are by nature different from each other; still, experts try to categorize them into various segments. Good leaders can produce great results. And, you know discipline is the key to achieving something. This allow for a quick turn-around of the issue, helping the company to begin pursuing its mission once again. Autocratic - cause frustration and resentment because the system is so dependent on the leader and because of the non-participation if workers . 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. 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. 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. Autocratic Leadership - Definition and Principles with Examples Did you know that autocratic leadership is great when it comes to handling crises? Cooperative and Autocratic Leadership Styles in Negotiations Autocratic leaders have imperious or commanding personalities. It is a style which dictates how people are supposed to work. Pros and Cons of Autocracy | Indeed.com A work environment where autocratic leadership style is exercised is usually not friendly to innovation or creative thinking. Authoritative leaders are most consistent in their approaches and systems. In other styles, there is a risk that by the time employees receive the message, the entire original message could be lost or there could be multiple interpretations of the message that create confusion. It improves productivity. 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. and lack of staff initiative (2015). One of the hallmarks of autocratic leadership is that the leader comes to his decisions quickly. What is Autocratic Leadership? The Definition and - toolshero When there isnt enough time to learn something new or a project must be completed rapidly, this type of leadership is the best option. This process may create a powerful and positive impact on their performance. Succession planning can be defined asa business strategy organizations use to pass leadership roles down to another employee or group of employees. Tannenbaum and Schmidt Leadership Continuum - Pros & Cons 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. As such, it becomes the right choice for employees who thrive when they are told what to do. It will also highlight team members that have strong creative skills and those that do not. The leader shares defined roles and patterns of work with the employees. It encourages a higher churn rate. Advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership This approach derives from the views of Taylor as to how to motivate workers and relates to McGregor's theory X view of workers. In this kind of leadership mostly leader makes new contacts with outside people. The cadets were fresh and were eager to learn, my Commanding Officer told me to do the "traditional" way of welcoming the cadets, this in fact is very beneficial to me and us because it instill dis. 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 However, this does not mean you should be satisfied with your current self and avoid growth. Although their primary aim should be to achieve business goals, as leaders, it is also their responsibility to add value to employees. They can easily manage these issues because they're the only ones who get to call the shots. 10. There are fewer delays because best practices are being followed consistently. 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!). Motivation and reward for leaders Effective where a chain of command is crucial advantages of the autocratic leadership style, autocratic leadership style advantages and disadvantages. For many it is someone who can inspire and get the most from their staff. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. By providing clear instructions, oversight, and guidance, autocrats can speed up turnaround times and improve quality standards. These environments allow for an error margin of zero. Despite facing criticism, there are some tangible benefits that an autocratic leader brings to the company. The autocratic leadership style does a good job of facilitating this process. That means there is a priority on consistency, with each team member performing their job functions in a similar way. Rules are placed for employees to follow in an autocratic leadership style because there is a need to create consistency. 8. (PDF) Democratic or Autocratic Leadership Style? Participative An autocratic leadership style is similar to an authoritarian leadership style. Do you have a team of inexperienced employees? Laissez-Faire Leadership: Definition, Examples, and Advantages This system leaves the employees stress-free. What are the pros and cons of an autocratic leadership? The democratic leadership style does solicit for opinions, perspectives, and experiences. It can also mean workers personal needs are neglected, causing them to feel like their supervisor does not care about them as individuals. Each level of management can inadvertently (or purposely) put their own spin on the communication come from the leadership. Many analysists also argue that this style usually leads to an absence of creative solutions to problems, which may ultimately hurt the group efforts. When there is an autocratic leadership established within an organization, there are fewer levels of administration that must be kept informed of each decision. The Styles of Leadership: A Critical Review - IISTE Advantages & Drawbacks of the Autocratic Leadership Style 9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership Style Some of the more common styles include autocratic, bureaucratic, democratic, and laissez-faire. Resulting in taking ideas and not implementing them. 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. There is also less feedback from various levels of management which must be processed. When this happens, productivity levels tend to decrease over time instead of increase. 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. They arent required to wait for the feedback from senior managers or consult with a leadership team. There are some work environments which require a high level of control. They just want to come to work, do what theyre told, then go home at the end of the day with a paycheck. 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. Employees, in turn, learn discipline and consistency from their leader. There is nothing complicated about the autocratic leadership style. Autocratic leadership always encourages one-way communication to eliminate this problem. Therefore, leaders who exercise autocratic leadership should follow a balanced process to attain organizational objectives. In such organizations, employees are highly experienced and knowledgeable and they tend to work in a democratic environment instead of an autocratic environment. 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. It allows for fast decisions to be made. It is a leadership style that is very easy to learn. Answer (1 of 10): Before I begin, I also tried this type of leadership among newcomers in our Unit. Such leaders usually make decisions based on their own judgment and ideas. autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages? For that reason, some entities using this structure create an inheritance chain which allows another person to step into the leadership role right away. What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Autocratic Leadership

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