Schaeffer described his experience in an article in Harvard Business Review: “The Leadership Journey.” Here’s an excerpt: “When a business needs to change relatively quickly, it’s much more important to just make a decision and get people moving than it is to take the time to conduct a thorough analysis and attempt to influence others to come around to your way of thinking. This makes it difficult to label them as strictly democratic, laissez-faire, transformative or even autocratic leaders. Autocratic leaders don’t often illicit opinions or expertise from the people who report to them, as do democratic and laissez-faire leaders. 0000008558 00000 n 76 34 Leaders needing to control minute tasks often are derided as micromanagers. 0000021101 00000 n These include: Ford, who helped perfect assembly-line manufacturing and economies of scale, is one of the clearest examples of an autocratic leader who changed society. At the time, the company was a fiscal disaster, the lowest performing of all the Blue Cross plans around the United States. Lewin and his colleagues found autocratic leaders: Autocratic leadership has pluses and minuses. 0000003269 00000 n Instead, autocratic leadership implies one person makes all the decisions for a group, team or assembly. 0000001463 00000 n This was partly due to The New York Times’ publishing of the Pentagon Papers and The Washington Post’s Watergate exposé, which led to Nixon’s resignation. 0000007558 00000 n His job was to turn it around. At its best, the autocratic style is liberating for people who work well with clear directives under leaders who understand exactly what people do and why their roles are important. Lewin’s study found that participative leadership, also known as democratic leadership, is generally the most effective leadership style. <> 76 0 obj Historically, autocratic leadership has been associated with tyrants and dictators who used authoritarian means to cajole and threaten underlings into performing tasks. The first formal study of leadership, including the autocratic style, is credited to Kurt Lewin and others in an article that appeared in the “American Journal of Sociology” in the 1930s. It may seem incongruous to think of autocratic leaders as self-driven. <>stream 855-215-4021 0000002474 00000 n endobj There are many contemporary examples of leaders who prefer the “my way or the highway” technique. 16401 NW 37th Avenue %PDF-1.7 %���� But if their role in business, government or other organizations is to drive others to perform at their best and accomplish tasks without making mistakes, then the description is appropriate. Privacy Policy | Site Map. The autocratic style was made famous by certain military and political leaders, sports coaches and Industrial Age icons. 0000005198 00000 n The term authoritarian, often used in conjunction with autocratic, seems more appropriate to describe leaders who make decisions with little or no input from others. Even creative businesses — such as advertising, product design and social media firms — reach a point when autocratic leadership is necessary. 0000001579 00000 n Fast-food enterprises frequently fall under this category. These autocratic, or authoritarian, leaders come to mind: In the 1970s, the autocratic style became less popular compared to other contemporary leadership theories. The music business is often overlooked when it comes to autocratic leaders. B�0�������S�g2Nd�a\�8�����х���ZЁa��R����+f�y2,f=�� ǐ��0��-C7��`. Leonard D. Shaeffer, "The Leadership Journey," Harvard Business Review. History and characteristics of autocratic leaders, Autocratic leadership examples and quotes. But if you compare autocratic leaders to democratic and laissez-faire leaders, the definition makes sense. 0000000976 00000 n %%EOF Individuals who march to the beat of their own drum generally don’t work well under autocratic leaders. Autocratic leaders often view themselves like automobile engines that drive people under their tutelage or command, whether it’s a mayor of a large city, a company CEO or an agency director. Instructional Design and Technology Online, Ed.D. Autocratic Leadership Style Autocratic leadership is an extreme form of transactional leadership, where leaders have complete power over staff. in Leadership and Innovation – Digital Instruction, MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online, Introduction to autocratic leadership style. Petty is also unabashed about his decision to dismiss the founding drummer from his band for what amounted to a perceived lack of commitment. Staff and team members have little opportunity to make suggestions, even if these are in the best interest of the team or organization. 0000003538 00000 n At its worst, autocratic leadership can be stifling, overbearing and demoralizing. Schaeffer eventually abandoned the autocratic method even though he had used it effectively earlier in his career. h�b```b``qa`e``�� �� @16�*����x��f���2����+n;%}�z���M��:�W�\Rw[y�E�`��n���y3�q=ޔ��z�����eo�if�ޕ6i���o7Y�k�Rm�Z9���gF���˦̚W~�Nk>�QS����Q����q>��*ϕ �u �ut�\���8@4����H���&��`�P�i0E@ac� Think ambulatory care and hospitals, police, military personnel and fire departments. The combination of progressive ideas, self-determination and autocratic leadership led to some of history’s most significant events. As a leader, he is autocratic and demanding. The rise of the Roman Empire under Julius Caesar, The settling of the U.S. Colonies thanks to John Smith, The popularity of the automobile due to Henry Ford, Generally do not solicit or accept input from others for decision-making purposes, Mandate all workplace methods, policies and procedures, Can exhibit a lack of trust in the advice, suggestions, ideas and decision-making ability of others, Effective when decisions must come quickly, without time to consult others, Prevents businesses or projects from becoming stagnant because of poor organization or lack of leadership, Keeps individuals, groups or teams from missing important deadlines, During stressful periods, autocratic leaders can be more effective, and their teams appreciate their leadership, Invites potential abuse by overly powerful personalities, Can stifle staff and discourage team creativity, Modern employees may not react well to authoritarian leadership, Can discourage open communication between leaders and subordinates, Better-educated workforces and the growth of knowledge-based industries that encourage decision-making at all levels, Mentoring as a leadership style, popular among millennials who generally frown on authoritarians, Democratic, laissez-faire and transformative leadership styles that incorporate many levels of decision-makers. It can range from strict authoritarian military leaders, as exemplified by Napoleon and Patton, to modern manufacturing department directors. Other historic examples of autocratic leaders: Discipline, preparation and victory are three pillars of autocratic leadership. Therefore, I would define the autocratic leader not as someone who bullies others needlessly but as the managerial equivalent of an emergency room surgeon, forced to do whatever it takes to save a patient’s life.”. The autocratic leadership style still works well in some institutions, such as the military, manufacturing, restaurants and companies with aggressive sales quotas. 855-215-4021 in Leadership and Innovation – Administration, Ed.D. It’s all about achieving success. People who dislike this style often point to its demoralizing “my way or the highway” mentality. He relies on threat and punishment to influence the employees. in Leadership and Innovation – Sports Administration, Ed.D. By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that St. Thomas University (STU) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. This style is necessary within organizations and companies that demand error-free outcomes. xref 0000005615 00000 n For anyone placed in a position that requires an autocratic leadership style, it’s helpful to identify pitfalls that can cause staff to question whether it is the right approach.
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