Autocratic Leadership Style

A leadership style characterised by leadership control over all decisions and little input from group followers. 

All decisions made according to the leader's own judgement and ideas.

Rarely accept advice from others; strong leadership, strong vision, determination; must be backed up by competence, expertise, good ideas.

This style can be effective:

• In times of crisis; when action needs to be taken quickly in response to a large scale problem;

• As it establishes clear expectations of work standards and discipline to keep order in pursuit of collective goals;

But it should only be a short term approach as it usually results in:

• Conflict and tension in the workplace

• Employees leaving the firm - high staff turnover 

• Damage to business culture (people less inclined / motivated to work)

Leadership should be thought of as a continuum. Good leaders are not fixed in the way they approach each situation. Good leaders are able to determine the best leadership style for each particular problem. On the chart below (best viewed on desktop), the Autocratic Style is on the far left - and the Democratic Style on the far right - with all different gradients between the two extremes.