Introduction to Autocratic Leadership
Autocratic leadership is headed by an autocrat, a prime leader, who leads the group, makes decisions and plans for the rest of the people to follow. The decisions taken are made by the autocrat’s conscience and skill only, with little to no input from others involved or affected in the process of formulation. This is a management style that is very focus driven.
Understanding Autocratic Leadership
While this form of management is usually less favourable, since it doesn’t take into the insights and inputs of the subordinates who need to work to achieve the goals set by the leader. However, in a loose, a little more healthy sense, autocratic power also refers to a person owning the authority and the responsibility of the team, that they will be the one to make the final decision— but not without having consulted external opinions, intelligence and needs. Even so, autocratic leadership is rarely rewarding. The weight of the responsibility falls on only one person, and the brunt of it, even though borne by the leader, will still be reaped by the subordinates. This form of leadership has been a thing of the past for so long, and for good reasons— the people trusted their leaders, and it was given that the leader will strive to bring welfare to the people under the leader’s care. In the modern world, although not usually advised, the benefits of an autocrat are utilized in some places. Autocratic leadership can be seen in spaces that require quick decision making, where the requirement of the subordinates to contribute intellectually is minimal. Examples of such spaces include manufacturing units, which are headed by supervisors, who give the final call on any discrepancy or decision in the unit.
Highlights of Autocratic Leadership
- Autocratic leadership derives from words auto (Greek for ‘self’) and cratic, which implies ‘rule’.
- Such a type of leadership can be essential where decision making needs to be quick, where the leader is more knowledgeable than the rest of the subordinates— whom the leader can choose to train, in disaster management— where everybody agrees with the leader etc.
- Due to not relying on many heads and hands, quick decision making by the autocrat acts best in the face of crises and constant change.
