advantages and disadvantages of autocratic leadership tutor2u
This leaves little room for miscommunication and messages getting lost in transit. advantages of democratic leadership. Only the leader will weigh the pros and cons of every option instead of the entire C-suite. It may create an unwelcome culture within the organization. Through goremotely.net, stats reveal that 78% of the employees want to quit their jobs due to lack of recognition. The advantages and disadvantages below refer to autocracy in general, including the two types of autocracy as discussed above. 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 Paternalistic managers give more attention to the social needs and views of their workers. Some are collaborative and inspiring, while some are authoritative and controlling. That means a decision is made on the timetable of the leader and no one else. This person: Assigns tasks Keeps everyone on deadline Focuses on the big picture Makes sure everyone contributes equally Autocratic leadership refers to a form of leadership in which a leader takes choices without consulting others. It motivates staff by appealing to their personal desires and on instrumental economic transactions. We all had, in one job or another, a boss who was feared by everyone. When the leaders are taking ownership for the quality of the completed work, there is no opportunity for team members to do so. It can also mean workers personal needs are neglected, causing them to feel like their supervisor does not care about them as individuals. There are three main categories of leadership styles: autocratic, paternalistic and democratic. Quick decision: Quick decision making is guaranteed because a single person decides for the whole group. Check out Harappas, Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. The leader is the only one who is in charge of the situation. Dependent on the leader: Organizational success is entirely dependent on the leader and their ideas, which can endanger the stability of the organization. Autocratic leadership is an exchange process, so it is a matter of contingent reinforcement of staff based on performances. List of the Disadvantages of a Democratic Leadership Style. At times, the original instruction may get lost within complex and multiple channels of communication. Lets take a glimpse at who autocratic leaders are and what they do. Moreover, the instructions will go straight to the employees. That means many leaders practicing this leadership style eventually turn into micromanagers, even if that is not their intent. If yes, then the best way to manage such teams is through autocratic leadership. Autocratic leaders are often micromanagers. 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. St. Thomas University: What is Autocratic Leadership? 1. The theory, which is generally linked with autocratic leadership, assumes employees don't like to work and tend to focus on fulfilling self-interests. For long-term issues, the autocratic leader can direct traffic in specific ways with more efficiency than a C-Suite, creating solutions that can quickly move an organization out of a troublesome state. Autocratic leader This leader is given the power to make decisions alone, having total authority. 3. It removes the pressure on the employees. In time, this may result in fewer errors, which can provide a boost to revenues. The three commonly observed 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. Likewise, this style is also very effective when astringent synchronisation of processes is essential to productivity. For many it is someone who can inspire and get the most from their staff. They are the managerial equivalent of an emergency room surgeon who is forced to do whatever necessary to save a patients life. All operations, methods, processes and delegations are decided by the autocratic leader and only by him. They may also feel that the leadership does not care about their needs and desires which is unproductive for organisations. Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership, is a style of leadership characterized by direct, top-down communication and commands. - reduces staff turnover. High clarity on structure and roles Organizations with autocratic leaders usually have very clear lines and borders in between different areas. As such, between them, there is no communication and you know communication is a must for a healthy relationship. Hence, he ensures that the products manufactured and services rendered meet the desired quality benchmarks. The employees have clear and strict job descriptions and know what to do and what is expected of them. Managers deal with their employees in different ways. 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 do not get recognition for their efforts. Motivation and reward for leaders: It provides strong motivation and reward for the leader. 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. Such times require a leader with ability to give instructions or guide and direct to those under his or her authority. - the leader respects other peoples opinions and feedback. On the other hand, employees are responsible for following instructions and meeting deadlines. 1. Only the leader will weigh the pros and cons of every option instead of the entire C-suite. M Rahman writes extensively online and offline with an emphasis on business management, marketing, and tourism. 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. Unfortunately, they might not appreciate the advice of their team members. There are numerous autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses and sometimes, a characteristic thats a strength in one scenario is a weakness in another. The leader is the only person to take the decision solely as they are in charge . As such, in autocratic leadership, faster decisions can be made. In some situations, this leadership . Many analysts argue that late Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple Inc.), Elon Musk, and to some extent Bill Gates are autocratic leaders. It allows for fast decisions to be made. List of the Advantages of Autocratic Leadership 1. Autocratic leadership is . VAT reg no 816865400. 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. There is also less feedback from various levels of management which must be processed. Autocratic leadership is defined by a top-down approach when it comes to all decision-making, procedures, and policies within an organization. Employees who prefer some authority and decision-making powers in the team might not appreciate autocratic leadership. Employees feel motivated and devote their maximum effort when they feel valued for their presence and contribution. 7. These environments allow for an error margin of zero. There can be a lack of accountability within its structures. 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. Productivity levels can see increases with this leadership style. They, therefore, make all the strategic decisions without any or extremely little inputs from the people who work under them. Safeguarding Mental Health in the Gig Economy Strengths of Laissez-Faire Leaders Although this kind of leadership can sound harsh at first, it can be very effective. And they are accountable for the outcomes. As autocratic leaders usually make decisions without consulting their team members, it may cause team members dislike towards the leadership. Managers must be willing to encourage leadership skills in subordinates. He is a lecturer in Management and Marketing. Autocratic executives can affect more productive project completion since they spread information swiftly throughout a company. When a leader is asked to operate in an authoritarian manner, it is difficult to turn that role on and off on-demand. Resulting in taking ideas and not implementing them. Because this leadership creates a system of dependence. Because the leaders opinion is the only opinion that matters in terms of strategic planning and decision-making, employees can feel frustrated that they cannot work in ways that suit them. 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. The manager respects employees' insight and asks them to help make the best decision, and the team respects the leader's ability to ultimately make the right call after considering their viewpoints. Due to this behaviour, the leader should yield the ultimate power and provide the employees with the motivation to work, i.e. When this happens, productivity levels tend to decrease over time instead of increase. If that leader goes away, then the team is unable to function because they were focused on their role. 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. Therefore, leaders who exercise autocratic leadership should follow a balanced process to attain organizational objectives. Such strict discipline ensures timely work completion of the organization. There is also less feedback from various levels of management which must be processed. An autocratic. Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. There are two reasons why the autocratic leadership style encourages an overall lack of accountability. You must have seen people with varied working styles, ways of talking, and traits. The advantages of Autocratic Leadership are: 1. Pros 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. in a time of crises). The result is a more consistent and accurate output. 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. They prefer to set their objectives, plan of action, processes and methods independently. 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. Disadvantages. One of the primary characteristics of autocratic leadership is a clearly defined chain of command. Do you have a team of inexperienced employees? Control in the group is minimal; authority is shared among members. This process may create a powerful and positive impact on their performance. It also creates hardships for the leader because they may get blamed for the actions of a worker when that worker was told to do something completely different. Business, sports, politics, and many other fields have witnessed a great number of autocratic leaders throughout the history. Under autocratic leaders, subordinates would fear due to demands and expectations. In a negative work environment, they also have the power to micromanage, enforce employee dependence, bully and generally mistreat their team. Workers are forced to rely on the autocratic leader for all their feedback, instructions, and work duties. Understanding autocratic leadership strengths and weaknesses can be easier when one understands exactly which kinds of behaviors constitute autocratic leadership. Its advantages are as follows: 1) An autocratic leader is in close control of the organization. You can be an authentic leader; you constantly grow and betters yourself. Autocracy in the workplace also results in high employee turnover. These types of leaders are known as democratic leaders and laissez-faire leaders, respectively. That reduces the productivity available, and eventually leads to declining morale. The foundation of the autocratic leadership style is one built on mistrust. It can be a joyless experience for team members. When controlling large numbers of low skilled workers. Sources: 9. This leadership style doesnt have a specific training forum to attend or require knowledge of a specific theory of leadership. It is one of the best. Autocratic leaders rely on specific rules, policies, and procedures to govern all processes within the workplace. 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. 5. The Disadvantages of Impulsive Management, Management Styles That Elevate vs. Devalue Employees. As in an autocratic organization, a single leader is involved in decision-making, he makes decisions based on his own logic and judgment. And they are accountable for the outcomes. Attner, R. and Plunkett, W. (1994) Introduction to management, 5th edition, California: Wadsworth, Inc. Murphy, M. (2019) Does anyone actually like autocratic leaders? However, according to Schaeffer (2002) autocratic leaders are not those who bully people needlessly. Unlike, group decision-making the autocratic leader does not have to decide with his followers. This working environment can leave employees feeling suppressed. According to goremotley.net, around 83% of employers feel that it is crucial to create leaders at all levels. Characteristics of autocratic leadership 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 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. Motivation and reward for leaders Effective where a chain of command is crucial Employee morale can also be negatively affected when autocratic leadership is employed. Individual decision making: Less competent sub-managers can be used only to carry out the orders of the boss. By the time the information reaches the front-line employees doing most of the work, the entire original message could be lost. What makes a good leader or manager? 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. Management & Leadership Styles | Autocratic, Democratic, Paternalistic, Laissez- Faire and More Two Teachers 16K subscribers Subscribe 224 Share Save 27K views 3 years ago Business Studies Videos. Do you have to be born with the correct qualities or can you be taught to be a good leader? You may also like reading Advantages and disadvantages of private limited company. In the paternalistic form, the core characteristics of this leadership style are used, with an added emphasis on worker wellbeing as part of the experience. How Procedures Can Improve Efficiency, available at: https://online.stu.edu/articles/education/autocratic-leadership.aspx (accessed 06 April 2021). St. Thomas University: What is Democratic/Participative Leadership? Create a leadership learning plan. They can replicate results because they are given specific instructions to follow. Professionals operating under this leadership can have lower confidence and slower decision-making skills. Succession planning can be defined asa business strategy organizations use to pass leadership roles down to another employee or group of employees. 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. These types of interactions do not create a sustainable working relationship, which ultimately creates productivity problems as workers experience lower morale levels. According to Startingbusiness.com, a significant drawback to working with an autocratic leader is the lack of flexibility in the workplace. Most autocratic leaders will not take the opinions, experiences, or knowledge of their team members into account when making decisions. This can mean the only employees who remain working with the company are unmotivated and even lazy individuals. But, what is autocratic leadership? This can be beneficial for organizations that need to maintain a strong sense of control and predictability. Employees, in turn, learn discipline and consistency from their leader. The idea here is that with a centralised control, giving guidance and direction to employees is relatively easy. Increased Work Burden - good style for meetings. Answer (1 of 10): Before I begin, I also tried this type of leadership among newcomers in our Unit. There is just one person in charge. Definition, Principles, Techniques, and Pros/Cons. Explains that autocratic leadership is a style often associated with the world of sports. Although creativity, independent thinking, and new processes are included as part of the overall leadership style, their implementation is not a top priority. However, they describe the disadvantages of this style as promoting staff defiance, lack of free . Low satisfaction also results in below performance than expectations. can swiftly take the team out of trouble. Autocratic - cause frustration and resentment because the system is so dependent on the leader and because of the non-participation if workers . Disadvantages of autocratic leadership style. Disadvantages of Autocratic or Authoritarian Leadership. Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Advantages Of Autocratic Leadership, Difference Between Leaders And Dictators, Contingency Theory Of Leadership and Develop Good Leadership Qualities to advance in your career. 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. The first and foremost advantage of this type of leadership style is that it helps the company in making a quick decision as the decision is centralized with the leader. And when it comes to long-term issues, autocratic leaders know how to direct traffic through the hierarchies. Your email address will not be published. The autocratic leadership style is highly dependent upon the leader. The correct leadership approach used at the right time will foster a long-term employeeleader relationship. Instead of there being a democratic process for teams, there are no group positions of leadership with the autocratic style. 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. Faster decision-making is the key to attaining organizational goals. This is the foundation of a management style called transformational leadership, which pulls everyone in on major decisions, ensuring the entire team is personally invested in . Autocratic leadership, however, has. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti pilihan pelajar terhadap aliran sains dan pola pilihan mengikut tahap kefahaman pengetahuan asas sains. - They are in complete . The autocratic leadership style does a good job of facilitating this process. 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). Everything rests with the leader. 4. In fact, some characteristics of autocratic leadership can be considered advantages in some situations and drawbacks in others. ? Every leadership style comes with some benefits and weaknesses. - encourages independence and creativity. A democratic style of management will put trust in employees and encourage them to make decisions. 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. 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. Leaders must assume that their workers are not performing as they should, which requires their direct supervision to ensure results happen. Autocratic - quick decision making is guaranteed; Autocratic - good for inexperienced workers; . autocratic leadership advantages and disadvantages? List of the Advantages of the Autocratic Leadership Style 1. Essentially, no one will be confused about the direction of a company or even the specific assignment they are working on. Autocracy has many benefits as well as some drawbacks. This approach has limitations (as highlighted by other motivational theorists such as Mayo and Herzberg) but it can be effective in certain situations. The biggest problem is, no one talks about innovation and out-of-the-box ideas in this leadership style. 7. This may make many employees feeling intellectually stifled. Workers can benefit from the competencies offered by their leader, replicating productivity by using the leaders knowledge and experience as a workplace asset. They even need guidance and instruction on how to, to do the given jobs. This style tends to decrease employee performance when additional duties are imposed on the employees without consultation. Many companies have been forced to completely reset their under-performing teams because the leadership in place formed the identity of everyone involved. A team can become so dependent upon the leader that they stop functioning when their directions are no longer present. Managers are interested in how happy workers feel and in many ways they act as a father figure (pater means father in Latin). democratic leadership. It is a leadership style that is very easy to learn. 9. Faster decision-making is the key to attaining organizational goals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pros of Autocracy The following sections below demonstrate. support and direction. It leads to quick decision-making, control over the processes and the operations of a company, etc. Autocratic leadership A leadership style in which leaders dictate without consultation of subordinates. the us american football coach vince lombardi is an example. Autocratic leaders exercise absolute control over the team. Although they set their rules and regulations to control the team, they also play a significant role in eradicating employee stress. Home Pros and Cons 11 Autocratic Leadership Advantages and Disadvantages. Advantages Quick decision making: This comes in handy when a leader is governing a small group or business. Autocratic leaders are like the captain of the ship. It can create negative emotions. All rights reserved LCHW. In a system of dependence, an autocratic leadership style creates a lack of trust between you and your workers. When there isnt enough time to learn something new or a project must be completed rapidly, this type of leadership is the best option. In this article, we outline some essential autocratic leadership pros and cons. and lack of staff initiative (2015). Did you know that autocratic leadership is great when it comes to handling crises? One of the hallmarks of autocratic leadership is that the leader comes to his decisions quickly. The Disadvantages of Laissez-Faire Leadership. Autocratic leaders are in charge and they make this fact known. In the permissive version, the autocratic leader still makes the final decision, but extends some flexibility to their direct reports in how tasks are completed. That creates a positive impact on the work environment, which leads to more accurate work and consistent production. That consistency leads toward corporate success. There is no doubt that laissez-faire can bring significant disadvantages to an organisation - especially where conditions are not conducive to such a liberal style of management. Advantages. They will delegate to them the authority to do this (empowerment) and listen to their advice. It is a style which dictates how people are supposed to work. Over time, this makes employee morale begin to sink. When an autocratic leadership style is used in these situations, then the control the policies and procedures provide encourage a deeper commitment to safety. It is a leadership style that can be applied in three different ways. More Cautious Inexperienced employees need a detailed layout and instructions to complete taskstraits an autocratic leader is known for. Faster decision-making Read more about each of these advantages in detail in our separate post: Laissez-Faire Leadership Advantages. Autocratic leadership always encourages one-way communication to eliminate this problem. That means workers who are highly skilled or motivated begin to lose their incentives to stay active under this leadership structure. 1. Other relevant articles for you are: Advantages and disadvantages of digital marketing, Advantages and disadvantages of franchising. That is because there is one person and they are in charge of all arrangements.