Autocratic leadership is a leadership style that follows a top-down approach, whereby leaders give their subordinates directions and orders but don't receive any advice or suggestions from them. It is a best style to use when there is no enough time for discussion, in a situation where a leader is required to come up with quick decisions.
What is autocratic leadership?
Autocratic Leadership is a type of leadership style in which decisions are made by a leader without or with little inputs from other team members. In most cases, performance of employees or subordinates under this kind of leadership is influenced by threats and punishments. Whereby employees show their best performance to avoid punishment, not because they are passionate to a job or task. Autocratic leadership style guarantees completion of tasks in a planned time, that's why it works best in a situation where tasks or projects are required to be done very quickly. However, it lowers employee's working morale and discourages creativity and innovations.
Autocratic leaders are strict and like to lead according to principles and rules. They tend to make decisions based on their beliefs and give orders and directions rather than inspiring their teams toward reaching goals. Usually, they neither give nor ask for feedbacks and punish their subordinates when they do wrong or under perform.
Characteristics (Features) of autocratic leadership
Autocratic leadership is characterized by:
- Centralized decision-making
- Top-down approach
- Little or no inputs from subordinates
1. Centralized decision-making (A leader is a decision maker)
In autocratic leadership style a leader is the only sayer. Most or all of decisions in a team are made by a leader himself without assistance from other members of a team.
2. Follows top-down approach
A top-down approach means a downward flowing of information. In autocratic style information flows from top level of management or leadership to lower level employees. Whereby leaders give orders, commands and directions to their subordinates rather than receiving suggestions and advice from subordinates.
3. Little or no inputs from subordinates
There is little or no chance for subordinates to contribute in decision-making process. Usually, subordinates do according to leader's decisions, commands and orders.
Advantages of autocratic leadership style
Though autocratic leadership is mostly not recommended, but still worth it. It can be effective to some situations and can give best results to a team. The following are pros of autocratic leadership style.
1. Saves time due to quick decisions
Autocratic leaders do not give their subordinates a room to share their ideas in decision-making. They just make decision on their own according to their perspectives. This can make things done quickly and on time since there is no discussion during decision-making process which may take long time to reach consensus.
2. High level of discipline
Autocratic leaders are very strict, they ensure principles and procedures are adhered in a team. This can improve efficiency and reduce errors that can lead to high standards output.
3. Offers clear structure
There is no ambiguity about who is a decision maker and it clarifies who is responsible to tasks, a deadline, rules and procedures to follow. This can be helpful to highly complex systems such as in manufacturing and construction work.
Disadvantages of autocratic leadership
Discourages creativity
Since there is no room for team members to contribute, it may discourage creativity in a team.
Needs a skilled leader
A leader must be skilled and good at making wise decisions. This because the decisions a leader makes have greater impact to a team. If he doesn't make decisions wisely can lead to failure of reaching team goals.
Discourage motivation
Team members under this kind of leadership usually feel not valued due to lack of opportunity to contribute in decision-making and strict leadership. This lowers motivation and may lead to poor performance and sometimes turnover.
When is autocratic style work best
Autocratic leadership works best in projects that require quick decision-making and when a company is facing constant change or a crisis. This style is not good to apply in collaborative teams or when team members perform tasks that require sharing of ideas and feedbacks.
Autocratic vs. Democratic leadership
Autocratic and
democratic leadership vary in many aspects. The following are the differences between these two styles of leadership.
| Autocratic leadership | Democratic leadership |
| No involvement of team members in decision-making | Team members are involved in decision-making |
| Discourages team work, motivation and creativity | Encourages team work, motivation and creativity |
A leader is a decision maker
| Decisions are made by whole team |
Quick decision-making
| A room for discussion before making decisions |
Bottom line
As a leader of a team, you should have knowledge of
various leadership styles and know how they work. Each style varies from others and each one may be effective depending on situation, thus selection should be wise. Some factors like company's culture, leaders personality, task type, employees experience, organization structure and technological advancement can influence the selection of leadership style. Having knowledge of leadership styles can help you choose best style that can work effectively according to situation in your team.
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