Whether this style makes a good leader has been a longstanding debate. This improves the speed of decisions because only one person is weighing the pros and cons of each choice, not a C-Suite. After all, this is what good leadership is all about. Cons of autocratic leadership. Each person benefits from the regulated competencies that are offered by the leader. 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. You may also like reading Advantages and disadvantages of private limited company. Autocratic leadership style ensures that a consistent message is sent from the centre to the employees at the bottom of the organisations. As such, it becomes the right choice for employees who thrive when they are told what to do. Working with a supervisor who makes all expectations clear and specifies exactly how to perform tasks can make the process of acclimating to a new work environment much easier for the employee. It may create an unwelcome culture within the organization. They can replicate results because they are given specific instructions to follow. Autocratic leadership can be defined as a leadership style where an individual leader holds the decision-making power over all organizational members and all activities. And what are. So, what are the autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages? new data says yes, available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2019/11/24/does-anyone-actually-like-autocratic-leaders-new-data-says-yes/?sh=bd0ef4e10de5 (accessed 06 April 2021), Schaeffer, L. (2002) The leadership journey, available at: https://hbr.org/2002/10/the-leadership-journey (accessed 06 April 2021), St Thomas University (2018) What is Autocratic Leadership? Workers are forced to rely on the autocratic leader for all their feedback, instructions, and work duties. Many analysts argue that late Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple Inc.), Elon Musk, and to some extent Bill Gates are autocratic leaders. There is no doubting where fault lies of poor decisions. 1. Therefore, they may not contribute to the team efforts as they should. 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. Study notes, videos, interactive activities and more! However, this leadership style become less effective in large organizations. Both leadership styles are very well known and are often used due to . Do you have a team of inexperienced employees? Faster decision-making is the key to attaining organizational goals. Pros of autocratic leadership If that leader goes away, then the team is unable to function because they were focused on their role. There are two reasons why the autocratic leadership style encourages an overall lack of accountability. Employees feel motivated and devote their maximum effort when they feel valued for their presence and contribution. A review of the teams work falls on their shoulders. 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. The autocratic style provides fast crisis management benefits. Many autocratic leaders turn into severe micromanagers, making it difficult for workers to do their job because theyre always forced to report on what they are doing at any given moment. Laissez-Faire. That means the partnerships formed by the workers are with the rules, not with people, and that helps to drive down morale over time. Disadvantages. When a company crisis occurs, a leader with authoritative traits can begin to call the shots to make immediate changes. There is just one person in charge. To be a great authentic leader, you should accept yourself for who you truly are. Advantages of Autocratic Leadership . 8. They know themselves very well and try to bring people together to achieve the organisational goals. Unfortunately, they might not appreciate the advice of their team members. Pros and Cons of Autocracy | Indeed.com Autocracy Pros and Cons of Autocracy: Are There Reasons to Get a Grip? Leader Dependence. 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. Workers become dependent on someone else to make decisions. Advantages and Disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership 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. What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Autocratic Leadership The competencies of the leader practicing autocratic leadership become the foundation for future success. Autocratic leadership is a suitable option for small-sized organizations where a single leader can handle all the matters easily. Do you have a team of inexperienced employees? But rarely do employees know that there are several. Autocratic leaders generally believe that they are the smartest people around and know more than their subordinates. Autocratic - quick decision making is guaranteed; Autocratic - good for inexperienced workers; . That need is generated by an overall lack of trust. There are many qualities that are needed to be a good leader or manager. 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. 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. This style tends to decrease employee performance when additional duties are imposed on the employees without consultation. When this happens, productivity levels tend to decrease over time instead of increase. Decisions can be made faster with this leadership style. Moreover, the instructions will go straight to the employees. Through goremotely.net, stats reveal that 78% of the employees want to quit their jobs due to lack of recognition. This working environment can leave employees feeling suppressed. There are fewer delays because best practices are being followed consistently. The second involves a leader refusing to take responsibility for work they personally instructed a worker to complete. Even if the leader is not knowledgeable in the area, they are forced into a position where they must decide. Autocratic leaders take the pressure off of their teams because they are fully responsible for the decisions that are made. support and direction. Low satisfaction also results in below performance than expectations. In addition, normally, inexperienced employees are rules followers. According to St. Thomas University, democratic leadership is defined by mutual respect between the manager and their team members. (PDF) Democratic or Autocratic Leadership Style? Participative Bureaucratic Leadership - Definition, Advantages and Disadvantages LS23 6AD Leadership Styles and Factors in Effective Staff Motivation Taylor Coft Business english 13. Understanding autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses can be easier when one understands exactly which kinds of behaviors constitute autocratic leadership. In a negative work environment, they also have the power to micromanage, enforce employee dependence, bully and generally mistreat their team. There may be dangerous situations or working environments which require complicated tasks to be completed. The leader is the only one who is in charge of the situation. Paternalistic Leadership Guide: Definition, Qualities, Pros & Cons 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 . Each person involved in autocratic organizations knows their position and role in achieving the desired target. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. It reduces the amount of group input received. Because of the too much rigidity in the structure, and low growth opportunities, most of the experienced employees tend to leave the autocratic organizations. - the leader respects other peoples opinions and feedback. Three leadership styles advantages and disadvantages - Medium Advantages of Autocratic Leadership Quick Decision Making. Autocratic style leads to frustration, low morale and conflict among subordinates. The quality of a team, structure, or organization practicing autocratic leadership is dependent upon the ethics of the leader in charge. Faster Decision-making Proponents of this government form claim that having one ruler or person to decide on matters concerning a nation and without distractions and influences of others make it easier for the leader to make sound decisions he or she thinks works for the interest of the country. And they are accountable for the outcomes. 1. It is one of the biggest, advantages of the autocratic leadership style, Faster decision-making and quick information-sharing can help boost the teams productivity. It creates moments of insecurity within the leadership. 2. Let's explore whether an autocratic leadership style is the right one for you: Benefits of Autocratic Leadership Style. Autocratic leadership A leadership style in which leaders dictate without consultation of subordinates. The following are the notable advantages and disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style in the workplace. There is nothing complicated about the autocratic leadership style. Autocracy has many benefits as well as some drawbacks. php/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-autocratic- leadership-6069 There is no gray area for employee performance in this type of environment, which can be comforting for employees. Autocratic executives can affect more productive project completion since they spread information swiftly throughout a company. Other relevant articles for you are: Advantages and disadvantages of digital marketing, Advantages and disadvantages of franchising. For example: When quick decisions are needed in a company (e.g. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. 5. 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!). Autocratic leadership is defined by a top-down approach when it comes to all decision-making, procedures, and policies within an organization. Control in the group is minimal; authority is shared among members. The Advantages of the Laissez-Faire Leadership Style Here is a list of the pros of the Laissez-Faire Leadership style: 1. Autocratic leadership is suitable when the organization is small. The correct leadership approach used at the right time will foster a long-term employeeleader relationship. The leader defines goals and the limitations for action and then leaves the remaining process. Advantages of autocratic leadership style. It leads to quick decision-making, control over the processes and the operations of a company, etc. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. Autocratic leadership style works better in situations where swift decisions are needed. Downsides of Autocratic Leadership While autocratic leadership can be beneficial at times, there are also many instances where this leadership style can be problematic. Productivity levels can see increases with this leadership style. These benefits of autocratic leadership can swiftly take the team out of trouble. Charismatic leaders are usually adaptable and possess the power to make the followers feel comfortable with . After all, this is what good leadership is all about. 1. Good leaders can produce great results. Transactional leadership is characterized by a leader/subordinate relationship governed by exchange, and with an autocratic leader, this exchange is total compliance with expectations for continued employment with the company. As such people working under autocratic leaders are supposed to accept the guidance or orders of their leader without any disagreement. And they are accountable for the outcomes. This requires good two-way communication and often involves democratic discussion groups, which can offer useful suggestions and ideas. Autocratic leadership always encourages one-way communication to eliminate this problem. 1. When there isnt enough time to learn something new or a project must be completed rapidly, this type of leadership is the best option. An autocratic leader is well-equipped to deal with a crisis situation. Autocratic Leadership Pros and Cons (A Complete Guide) 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. Chapter 4 - Leadership Styles Flashcards | Quizlet When controlling large numbers of low skilled workers. Autocratic Leadership - Study.com Boston House, Employee morale can also be negatively affected when autocratic leadership is employed. They are the managerial equivalent of an emergency room surgeon who is forced to do whatever necessary to save a patients life. It is a leadership style that is based on a lack of trust. Check out Harappas, Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. There can be a lack of accountability within its structures. Rules are placed for employees to follow in an autocratic leadership style because there is a need to create consistency. Leaders are of different types. 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. Likewise, Leona Helmsley of the Helmsley hotel chain andMartha Stewart of MSLO are also considered to have exercised this type of leadership style. 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. They are bound to follow whatever the leaders ask them. Pros & Cons of Team Leadership Styles | Bizfluent People only thrive here is there is no investment in what they do. 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. Communication is the systematic process of passing information from one person to another. Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages: Advantages: It allows for fast decisions to be made: - An autocratic leadership includes fewer levels of administration levels that are to be informed. Safeguarding Mental Health in the Gig Economy Strengths of Laissez-Faire Leaders Key points of Advantages of autocratic leadership Highlights below: It allows for a fast decision to be made. and lack of staff initiative (2015). 214 High Street, It improves productivity. Moreover, they also like to enjoy the credit for the projects success, leaving the employees disheartened. Did you ever invite him for a drink? Succession planning can be defined asa business strategy organizations use to pass leadership roles down to another employee or group of employees. There may be situations when leaders are less qualified than their subordinates. Most autocratic leaders will not take the opinions, experiences, or knowledge of their team members into account when making decisions. 1. Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the autocratic leadership style by examining examples of leaders and companies. It also includes less feedback from the management levels. The biggest problem is, no one talks about innovation and out-of-the-box ideas in this leadership style. Essentially, no one will be confused about the direction of a company or even the specific assignment they are working on. 1. Home Pros and Cons 11 Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. Such strict discipline ensures timely work completion of the organization. democratic leadership. Whether this style makes a good leader has been a longstanding debate. Because of poor coordination, low job satisfaction, low motivation, etc. The Pros and Cons of Laissez-Faire Leadership | SB - Starting Business He holds an MSc in Tourism & Hospitality from the University of Sunderland. Increased autonomy 2. Advantages of autocratic leadership style 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. Authoritative leaders are most consistent in their approaches and systems. Quick decision: Quick decision making is guaranteed because a single person decides for the whole group. However, this does not mean you should be satisfied with your current self and avoid growth. Inexperienced teams can still produce experienced results. 4. If the leader offers questionable ethics, however, and refuses to create fairness, then there is no one who can really hold that person accountable. Therefore, leaders who exercise autocratic leadership should follow a balanced process to attain organizational objectives. 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. Pros Additionally, a leader like this improves workplace efficiency by instructing staff members on what to do and how to meet deadlines. An autocratic. Disadvantages. This is one of the autocratic leader strengths and weaknesses that is highly dependent on the workplace environment. Autocratic leadership eliminates this issue because the command goes straight to the workers involved. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. The main characteristics of autocratic leadership style are as follows: * Autocratic leaders make all the decisions and pass them down to the people under them for implementation. On the other hand, employees are responsible for following instructions and meeting deadlines. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Autocracy - Bscholarly 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. Task 2.3 - Comparison of leadership style Autocratic Leadership Style: Mr. Worth took on a more autocratic approach to leadership by operating his office from the top floor of the company, and rarely interacting with his employees. Attner, R. and Plunkett, W. (1994) Introduction to management, 5th edition, California: Wadsworth, Inc. Murphy, M. (2019) Does anyone actually like autocratic leaders? It is a leadership style that can be applied in three different ways. It may impair the morale of the group. Autocratic Leadership | Characteristics, Advantages, Disadvantages However, excess control can also result in low employee morale and employee engagement. 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. Their expertise and experience can solve short-term issues. But rarely do employees know that there are several benefits of autocratic leadership. Autocratic leaders dont deal with the hassle of multiple leadership levels. 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. Under autocratic leaders, subordinates would fear due to demands and expectations. 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. Likewise, as an autocratic leader is not necessarily the same as being a fascist, there are people with certain personalities, who may indeed work well under this type of leadership style (Murphy, 2019). It is an easy way to cut through administrative red tape to ensure better communication to all workers.