Autocratic leaders typically make choices based on their ideas and judgments and rarely accept advice from followers.

Autocratic leadership involves absolute, authoritarian control over a group.

Like other leadership styles, the autocratic style has both some benefits and some weaknesses.

Autocratic Leadership

Verywell / Hugo Lin

It certainly can be when overused or applied to the wrong groups or situations.

Some projects requirestrong leadershipto get things accomplished quickly and efficiently.

If so, the chances are that your grade or job performance suffered as a result.

This allows members of the group to focus on performing specific tasks without worrying about making complex decisions.

Offers Structure

Manufacturing and construction work can also benefit from the autocratic style.

People who abuse an autocratic leadership style are often viewed as bossy, controlling, and dictatorial.

This can sometimes result in resentment among group members.

Autocratic leaders tend to overlook the knowledge and expertise that group members might bring to the situation.

Failing to consult with other team members in such situations hurts the overall success of the group.

Hurts Morale

Autocratic leadership can also impair the morale of the group in some cases.

Since autocratic leaders typically do not allow input from team members, followers start to feel dissatisfied and stifled.

Is autocratic leadership good or bad?

Autocratic leadership is generally a bad thing when it is used excessively.

However, it is important to note that this key in of leadership can be useful in certain situations.

Autocratic leaders can sometimes make team members feel ignored or even rejected.

If they need additional assistance, offer oversight and training to fill in this knowledge gap.

take a stab at recognize success more than you point out mistakes.

By doing so, your team will respond much more favorably to your correction.

Are You an Autocratic Leader?

Try ourfast and free quizto find out if you tend towards autocratic leadership or one of the other styles.

Autocratic leadership is often most effective when it is used for specific situations.

Balancing this style with other approaches includingdemocraticortransformational stylescan often lead to better group performance.

How procedures can improve efficiency.