The Disadvantages And Strengths Of Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership, is a leadership style characterized by individual control over all decisions and little input from group members. Autocratic leaders typically make choices based on their ideas and judgments and rarely accept advice from followers. Autocratic leadership involves absolute, authoritarian domination over a group. Like other leadership styles, the autocratic style has both some benefits and some weaknesses.

The work of an Autocrat is to manage the direction of all goals and work, with little to no input from the team. They have all the power to make decisions, and they use it. They don’t worry about input, and do not leave room for subordinates to sub-manage. This is a style most often used when a great deal of scrutiny is necessary to have a successful end product, but can be untenable in less clear-cut situations.

In an autocratic leadership style, the person in charge has complete authority and control over decision making. By virtue of their position and job responsibilities they not only control the efforts of the team, but monitor them for completion. Obviously, our historical movement toward democracy brings a negative connotation to autocracy, but in some situations, it is the most appropriate type of leadership. That, of course, doesn’t mean a blank check to ignore the well being of his subordinate.

The autocratic leadership style is best used in situations where control is necessary, often where there is