Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsBenefitsDownsidesSuccessesAre You an Autocratic Leader?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics
Benefits
Downsides
Successes
Are You an Autocratic Leader?
Close
Autocratic leaders typically make choices based on their ideas and judgments and rarely accept advice from followers. Autocratic leadership involves absolute, authoritarian control over a group.
Like other leadership styles, the autocratic style has both some benefits and some weaknesses. While those who rely on this approach too heavily are often seen as bossy or dictator-like, this level of control can have benefits and be useful in certain situations.
When and where theauthoritarianstyle is most useful can depend on factors such as thesituation, the type of task the group is working on, and characteristics of the team members. If you tend to utilize this type of leadership with a group,learning more about your styleand the situations in which this style is the most effective can be helpful.
Verywell / Hugo Lin
Characteristics of Autocratic Leadership
Some of the primary characteristics of autocratic leadership include:
There are also three primary types of autocratic leadership: Directing (rigid), permissive (slightly more flexible), and paternalistic (strict but balanced with care and concern).
BenefitsAllows for quick decision-making especially in stress-filled situationsOffers a clear chain of command or oversightWorks well where strong, directive leadership is neededDrawbacksDiscourages group inputHurts morale and leads to resentmentIgnores or impairs creative solutions and expertise from subordinates
BenefitsAllows for quick decision-making especially in stress-filled situationsOffers a clear chain of command or oversightWorks well where strong, directive leadership is needed
Allows for quick decision-making especially in stress-filled situations
Offers a clear chain of command or oversight
Works well where strong, directive leadership is needed
DrawbacksDiscourages group inputHurts morale and leads to resentmentIgnores or impairs creative solutions and expertise from subordinates
Discourages group input
Hurts morale and leads to resentment
Ignores or impairs creative solutions and expertise from subordinates
Benefits of Autocratic Leadership
The autocratic style tends to sound quite negative. It certainly can be when overused or applied to the wrong groups or situations. However, autocratic leadership can be beneficial in some instances, such as when decisions need to be made quickly without consulting with a large group of people.
Some projects requirestrong leadershipto get things accomplished quickly and efficiently. When the leader is the most knowledgeable person in the group, the autocratic style can lead to fast and effective decisions. The autocratic leadership style can be useful in the following instances:
Provides Direction
If so, the chances are that your grade or job performance suffered as a result. In such situations, a strong leader who utilizes an autocratic style can take charge of the group, assign tasks to different members, and establish solid deadlines for projects to be finished.
These types of group projects tend to work better when one person is either assigned the role of leader or simply takes on the job on their own. By setting clear roles, assigning tasks, and establishing deadlines, the group is more likely to finish the project on time and with everyone providing equal contributions.
Relieves Pressure
This leadership style can also be used well in cases where a great deal of pressure is involved. In situations that are particularly stressful, such as during military conflicts, group members may prefer an autocratic style.
This allows members of the group to focus on performing specific tasks without worrying about making complex decisions. This also allows group members to become highly skilled at performing certain duties, which is ultimately beneficial to the success of the entire group.
Offers Structure
Manufacturing and construction work can also benefit from the autocratic style. In these situations, it is essential that each person have a clearly assigned task, a deadline, and rules to follow.
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.
Downsides of Autocratic Leadership
While autocratic leadership can be beneficial at times, there are also many instances where this leadership style can be problematic. People who abuse an autocratic leadership style are often viewed as bossy, controlling, and dictatorial. This can sometimes result in resentment among group members.
Group members can end up feeling that they have no input or say in how things or done, and this can be particularly problematic when skilled and capable members of a team are left feeling that their knowledge and contributions are undermined. Some common problems with autocratic leadership:
Discourages Group Input
Because autocratic leaders make decisions without consulting the group, people in the group may dislike that they are unable to contribute ideas. Researchers have also found that autocratic leadership often results in a lack of creative solutions to problems, which can ultimately hurt the group from performing.
Autocratic leaders tend to overlook the knowledge and expertise that group members might bring to the situation. Failing to consult with other team members in such situations hurts the overall success of the group.
Hurts Morale
Autocratic leadership can also impair the morale of the group in some cases. People tend to feel happier and perform better when they feel like they are making contributions to the future of the group. Since autocratic leaders typically do not allow input from team members, followers start to feel dissatisfied and stifled.
Is autocratic leadership good or bad?Autocratic leadership is generally a bad thing when it is used excessively. However, it is important to note that this type of leadership can be useful in certain situations. When group members lack knowledge, need direction, and time is of the essence, autocratic leadership can provide guidance, relieve pressure, and offer the structure that group members need to succeed.
Is autocratic leadership good or bad?
Autocratic leadership is generally a bad thing when it is used excessively. However, it is important to note that this type of leadership can be useful in certain situations. When group members lack knowledge, need direction, and time is of the essence, autocratic leadership can provide guidance, relieve pressure, and offer the structure that group members need to succeed.
How to Be Successful With Autocratic Leadership
The autocratic style can be beneficial in some settings, but also has its pitfalls and is not appropriate for every setting and with every group. If this tends to be your dominant leadership style, there are things that you should consider whenever you are in a leadership role.
Listen to Team Members
You might not change your mind or implement their advice, but subordinates need to feel that they can express their concerns. Autocratic leaders can sometimes make team members feel ignored or even rejected.
Listening to people with an open mind can help them feel like they are making an important contribution to the group’s mission.
Establish Clear Rules
In order to expect team members to follow your rules, you need to first ensure that guidelines are clearly established and that each person on your team is fully aware of them.
Provide Tools
Once your subordinates understand the rules, you need to be sure that they actually have the education and abilities to perform the tasks you set before them. If they need additional assistance, offer oversight and training to fill in this knowledge gap.
Be Reliable
Recognize Success
Your team may quickly losemotivationif they are only criticized when they make mistakes but never rewarded for their successes. Try to recognize success more than you point out mistakes. By doing so, your team will respond much more favorably to your correction.
Try ourfast and free quizto find out if you tend towards autocratic leadership or one of the other styles.
Takeaways
While autocratic leadership does have some potential pitfalls, leaders can learn to use elements of this style wisely. For example, an autocratic style can be used effectively in situations where the leader is the most knowledgeable member of the group or has access to information that other members of the group do not.
Instead of wasting valuable time consulting with less knowledgeable team members, the expert leader can quickly make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. Autocratic leadership is often most effective when it is used for specific situations. Balancing this style with other approaches includingdemocraticortransformational stylescan often lead to better group performance.
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wang H, Guan B.The positive effect of authoritarian leadership on employee performance: The moderating role of power distance.Front Psychol.2018;9:357. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00357St. Thomas University.What is autocratic leadership? How procedures can improve efficiency.Rosing F, Boer D, Buengeler C.When timing is key: How autocratic and democratic leadership relate to follower trust in emergency contexts.Front Psychol. 2022;13:904605. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904605Additional ReadingCragen, JF, Wright, DW, & Kasch, CR. Communication in Small Groups: Theory, Process, and Skills. Boston: Wadsworth; 2009.Daft, RL. The Leadership Experience. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning; 2015.
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wang H, Guan B.The positive effect of authoritarian leadership on employee performance: The moderating role of power distance.Front Psychol.2018;9:357. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00357St. Thomas University.What is autocratic leadership? How procedures can improve efficiency.Rosing F, Boer D, Buengeler C.When timing is key: How autocratic and democratic leadership relate to follower trust in emergency contexts.Front Psychol. 2022;13:904605. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904605Additional ReadingCragen, JF, Wright, DW, & Kasch, CR. Communication in Small Groups: Theory, Process, and Skills. Boston: Wadsworth; 2009.Daft, RL. The Leadership Experience. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning; 2015.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wang H, Guan B.The positive effect of authoritarian leadership on employee performance: The moderating role of power distance.Front Psychol.2018;9:357. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00357St. Thomas University.What is autocratic leadership? How procedures can improve efficiency.Rosing F, Boer D, Buengeler C.When timing is key: How autocratic and democratic leadership relate to follower trust in emergency contexts.Front Psychol. 2022;13:904605. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904605
Wang H, Guan B.The positive effect of authoritarian leadership on employee performance: The moderating role of power distance.Front Psychol.2018;9:357. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00357
St. Thomas University.What is autocratic leadership? How procedures can improve efficiency.
Rosing F, Boer D, Buengeler C.When timing is key: How autocratic and democratic leadership relate to follower trust in emergency contexts.Front Psychol. 2022;13:904605. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904605
Cragen, JF, Wright, DW, & Kasch, CR. Communication in Small Groups: Theory, Process, and Skills. Boston: Wadsworth; 2009.Daft, RL. The Leadership Experience. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning; 2015.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
