Three Pros and Cons for Exercising Autocratic Leadership: The Pitfalls of a Top-Down Approach   

There are three types of leadership, colloquially referred to as autocratic, participative, and laissez-faire. Autocratic leadership embodies a top-down approach. To make it simple- do as instructed, no questions asked. Participative leadership fosters collaboration and shared decision-making, often likened to a democratic style. Laissez-faire leadership delegates decision-making authority, offering minimal guidance or instruction. While each of these styles has its merits, any can be toxic if overused. Most of us tend to gravitate to one style. And that style can change if we are stressed. And that fact is scary if you are not self-aware. So, it is helpful to have a mindful approach when it comes to exercising leadership. Today, I will discuss the three pros and cons of autocratic leadership. Pro #1: Efficiency It is fast. You give the command, and it is executed. No questions asked (because you do not invite questions!). Con#1: Limited Perspective. Without soliciting input, you may be missing valuable insights from your team. Let’s face it: do you know everything your team knows? Probably not. And your team will question your instructions- they just won’t discuss it with you. Pro#2: Precision You get exactly what you want. You give the directive, and it is implemented. Con#2: Lack of Buy-in Does your team think you are perfect? That you have all the right answers? Probably not. That lack of buy-in can cause other issues, including decreased morale and motivation. Pro#3: Emergency Responsiveness Making a quick decision in a crisis can be lifesaving. When you don’t have time, and there is danger, you direct. If you see a tornado coming, you can tell people to get to the basement. People will likely follow your lead. Con#3- Trust Deficit Autocratic leaders may foster a climate of distrust, alienating team members who feel undervalued and underinformed. They may not feel like the leader is making decisions in the team’s best interest. You can see that an autocratic style often has more negative impacts than positive if it is your primary style. Just recently, I got this message in my inbox regarding cyber-attacks: “Whaling emails might not be as sophisticated as spear phishing emails, but they play on employees’ willingness to follow instructions from their boss. Recipients might suspect that something is amiss but are too afraid to confront the sender to suggest that they are being unprofessional.” If you are an autocratic leader, your organization is more likely to be targeted and experience negative impacts like this example. This happens because the team is fearful (a common outcome of autocratic leadership), or they know you do not appreciate questions, so they don’t bother to point out concerns. Self-awareness is pivotal in recognizing and mitigating autocratic tendencies, which often stem from sources such as arrogance, inexperience, or a craving for control. While autocratic leadership may be warranted in urgent or critical situations, a consultative approach can yield superior outcomes if you have time on your side. So, are you an autocratic leader? Part of mindful leadership is to be self-aware. Many assessments will analyze your leadership style. Autocratic leadership does have its place. When it comes to safety, legal, time-sensitive, or ethical decisions, you may need to employ autocratic behavior. However, if you have time and flexibility, you may have better outcomes if you consult the team affected by the decisions that need to be made. Stay tuned for insights into the pros and cons of laissez-faire leadership which I will cover in a later blog.