Friday, January 18, 2019

The hidden problems of autocratic leadership

Do you practice autocratic leadership in your organization? Many leaders and managers are tempted to use this kind of leadership style. Because this facilitates obedience, fear and stifling of complaints among subordinates.

In hindsight, why is it that many leaders and managers favor autocracy? They favor autocracy because it highlights absolute power which nobody can question. An abusive leader/manager can easily tap this kind of leadership style to solidify his hold on his position. They do this because they are deluded to think that nobody would go against them. Their mindset is they could simply push their ideas no matter how distasteful, lousy and bad it is.

However, it has been proven time and again that this kind of leadership style is counter productive to an organization or even to a sovereign nation. Why? Because when there is absolute power there is no check and balance. And when the presence of check and balance in an organization is absent abuse of power would be present.

Autocratic leaders/managers are always oriented towards their authority. They will always put forward their authority and they will relentlessly exercise it. They obviously expect their subordinates to obey without question. And if ever there would be those who would question them. They will not mind it, they will instead simply ram it to advance their objective. 

Autocratic style is very tempting to use or engage for a short-sighted leader/manager or for a leader/manager with a tunnel vision. Why? Because it will create a semblance of order and achievement of objectives. However, this would not last for long, sooner subordinates will resent this leadership style.

Thus, there would be disorder, minimum work performance or it may even lead to disruption of work. So, a wisdom filled leader must not entertain any thoughts of using an autocratic style of leadership. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

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