Authoritarian leadership, also known as autocratic leadership, is a management style in which an individual has total decision-making power and absolute control over his subordinates. An authoritarian leader makes decisions on policies, procedures and group objectives with little or no input from his or her team members or followers. Show
The following are the chief characteristics of authoritarian leadership:
Authoritarian leadership is beneficial in industries and organizations where decisions need to be made urgently and efficiently, and where it's critical that certain tasks are performed in a specific way and there is very little room for mistakes, such as in construction, manufacturing and the military. Using this type of leadership prevents the chances of projects getting sidelined by a lack of organization or solid deadlines, and allows team members to concentrate on particular tasks without having to participate in the complex decision-making process. Authoritarian leadership can also be advantageous in cases where the leader is the most knowledgeable person in an organization. There are many shortcomings to authoritarian leadership, however. Excessive use of this leadership style may cause the leader to be viewed as domineering and iron-fisted, which can breed resentment or aggression among group members. Furthermore, followers may grow to resent that they are not able to contribute their expertise or opinions to decision making. These factors may lead to a higher churn rate. Additionally, authoritarian leaders are typically lacking in creative problem-solving skills, which can hurt a group's operations. Authoritarian leadership is most valuable in situations where managers are training or regulating staff that lack skills and experience. Motivational styles of leadership, such as authentic leadership, are more useful in groups that consist of more experienced individuals. Examples of leaders who have used authoritarian leadership include Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Bill Gates, Kim Jong-un, Larry Ellison, Lorne Michaels, Richard Nixon and Vladimir Putin. This was last updated in December 2015 Continue Reading About authoritarian leadership
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What Is Democratic Leadership?Democratic leadership, also known as participative leadership or shared leadership, is a leadership style in which members of the group participate in the decision-making process. This type of leadership can apply to any organization, from private businesses to schools to the government. With a democratic leadership style, everyone is given the opportunity to participate, ideas are exchanged freely, and discussion is encouraged. While this process tends to focus on group equality and the free flow of ideas, the democratic leader is still there to offer guidance and control. The democratic leader is also charged with deciding who is in the group and who gets to contribute to the decisions being made. Research has found that the democratic leadership style is one of the most effective types and leads to higher productivity, better contributions from group members, and increased group morale. Mental Health in the Workplace WebinarOn May 19, 2022, Verywell Mind hosted a virtual Mental Health in the Workplace webinar, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW. If you missed it, check out this recap to learn ways to foster supportive work environments and helpful strategies to improve your well-being on the job. Characteristics of Democratic LeadershipSome of the primary characteristics of democratic leadership include:
Researchers suggest that good democratic leaders possess specific traits such as being a team player, possessing a willingness to adapt, having a fair mind, and being engaged in the process. Strong democratic leaders inspire trust and respect among their followers. These leaders are sincere and make decisions based on their morals and values. They also tend to seek diverse opinions and do not try to silence dissenting voices or those that offer a less popular point of view. As a result, followers feel inspired to take action and contribute to the group. Examples of Democratic LeadershipMore than half of the countries in the world with populations over 500,000 people use a democratic leadership style. The United States is one. Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Netherlands are a few others. Some businesses also operate with a democratic management style, offering a participative leadership approach. Google is one, with its founders likening their leadership style to being "proud parents—offering advice and love, but not daily nagging!" Jack Dorsey, the former Twitter CEO, was also often credited with having the characteristics of a democratic leader. You can also find examples of democratic leadership within school clubs and 4-H organizations. Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers who won two World Series championships, is credited with being a participative leader in the sport of baseball. Benefits of Democratic LeadershipBecause group members are encouraged to share their thoughts, democratic leadership can lead to better ideas and more creative solutions to problems. Group members feel more involved and committed to projects, making them more likely to care about the end results. Research on leadership styles has shown that democratic leadership contributes to higher productivity among group members. This way of leading has also been connected to increases in group morale. Pros
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Potential Pitfalls of Democratic LeadershipWhile democratic leadership has been described as the most effective leadership style, it does have some potential downsides. In situations where roles are unclear or time is of the essence, democratic leadership can lead to communication failures and uncompleted projects. In some cases, group members may not have the necessary knowledge or expertise to make quality contributions to the decision-making process. Democratic leadership can also result in team members feeling like their opinions and ideas aren't taken into account. For a government or organization to be truly democratic requires the sharing of all the information. This can lead to potential security issues in some cases, making it another pitfall of using a democratic leadership style. How to Use Democratic LeadershipDemocratic leadership works best in situations where group members are skilled and eager to share their knowledge. It is also important to have plenty of time to allow people to contribute, develop a plan, then vote on the best course of action. Because so many people are involved, setting deadlines can ensure that you get everyone's input in enough time to act on it. Providing expectations upfront can be helpful as well, making it clear when the group's input will be sought and which decisions management will make on its own. A Word From VerywellLike any other leadership style, there are pros and cons to being a democratic leader. Should you decide that this is the best style for you, following a few simple guidelines—such as managing time carefully and setting deadlines—can help make this an effective approach. Frequently Asked Questions
Which leader allows the subordinate to make a decision?Democratic leadership: Unlike autocratic or bureaucratic leaders, a democratic leader often welcomes subordinate participation in decision-making. This leadership style is often admired and can be effective in creative work environments that don't require quick decisions.
What are the 4 types of leaders?Types of Leadership Styles. Autocratic.. Democratic.. Laissez-faire.. Transformational.. Who is called as autocratic leader?Leaders who use the autocratic style typically make all the decisions with little to no input from others. It's important to distinguish dictators from these leaders. All dictators are autocratic leaders, but not all autocratic leaders are necessarily dictators.
What is autocratic or authoritarian leadership?Autocratic, or authoritarian leaders, are often described as those with ultimate authority and power over others. These leaders tend to make choices based upon their own ideas alone and do not listen to their team or seek input from others.
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