Autocratic Management Style

Leaders are people who take a step forward into the unknown lead the people who are dependent on them. There are many qualities that a leader or a manager should have, such as creativity, endurance, communication skills, ambition, authority and the power to convince people to do the desired. Most of the great leaders in history, like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc, etc., were individuals who possessed the leadership qualities mentioned above. They used these for the betterment of their people and for progressive reasons.

Even though this article has nothing to do with management styles, the way the guided their people are examples of effective management. Theoretically there are 3 main categories or types of management styles, viz; autocratic, paternalistic and democratic, each of which are important ways of managing people. Here, we will be talking about the autocratic management style practiced by leaders. From the mentioned paragraphs, find out everything about this style.

What is Autocratic Management Style?

The synonym for autocratic is authoritarian, which means one individual has the authority to make all the important decisions for a group or people. Being one of the 3 main categories of management styles mentioned above, the autocratic management style is not a preferred or favorable way for multiple reasons, but can be used as a situational management style. Comparing the autocratic leadership style to dictatorships is not a wrong thing to do, since the style of leading and managing a group of people is the same.

When you have one leader or manager, the choices, rules and regulations, decisions and important changes are made by him without the say of the people who are to be governed (employees). After giving the orders, the employees are not given the right to complain, oppose or expect explanations, but are expected to obey the orders irrespective of their choice. The rewards and appreciation for the employees are also given only if the leader is convinced with their work.

Autocratic Management Style: Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a number of advantages as well as disadvantages of this type of management and should be incorporated only for certain situations for the modern business. Because of the various rights given to the employees of today, the practice of this style is not at all healthy. However, there are times when employees need to be dealt with strictly, so that there is a certain level of discipline maintained in the work place. Here are a few pros and cons of the autocratic management style mentioned just for your information.

Advantages

• One of the biggest advantages of this type of management style is that, because there is one person making the decisions, there is no confusion during the implementation. This also leads to decisions being made faster and more effectively.
• There is no lack of communication between the employees, regarding the instructions as they are common to all. This too, avoids confusion between the teammates or the managers and the employees.
• There is a certain level of discipline and decorum which is maintained among the employees. Since they are not given the right to speak against the management or rebel against it, there are no issues of revolt or difference in opinions among the employee and employer.

Disadvantages

• The disadvantages of the autocratic leadership styles, however, outnumber the advantages. Because of these forceful instructions given to the employees, the staff is not content and thus doesn't respect the management.
• There are various fresh ideas and creative working styles which the staff would like to suggest to the management, but this creativity is not respected by the authority. This leads to an unhealthy environment among the staff and there could be lack of interest in work, resulting in less business and income.
• When the instructions from the autocratic boss don't come on time, there is confusion among the teams or the employees, as to how the further work is to be done. This could lead to delays and loss in business, making the employees completely dependent on one person for decisions.
• A few autocratic management style examples in the past have been; Adolph Hitler, Saddam Hussein, various types of monarchies throughout the world. This results to a very unhealthy interaction between the two parts of any organization, the employer and the employees, which is indeed a team.

After learning and reading about management in theory and practice, students or budding managers are expected to pick a style of management. They can decide to either follow a single style such as autocratic management style or use a combination of all the three, which is the best.