Leadership Styles: Situational Leadership, Autocratic Leadership

2.5 Leadership Styles

Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people.

The styles vary on the basis of the duties the leader feels he alone should perform; the responsibilities the leader expects his followers to accept. “Most effective leaders are those who alter their leadership styles to fit the needs of a particular situation.”

2.5.1 Situational Leadership

Situational leadership theories presume that different leadership styles are better in different situations, and that leaders must be flexible enough to adapt their style to the situation they are in.
This is a term that can be applied generically to a style of leadership, but that also refers to a recognized, and useful, leadership model. In simple terms, a situational leader is one who can adopt different leadership styles depending on the situation. This is the style of leadership that most of the politicians have to adopt to survive in todays competitive political environment.

According to the philosophies of leaders towards their followers, the techniques of leadership and its patterns and styles may now be classified. These are:

• Autocratic leadership (leader - centered).
• Consultative or Democratic leadership (participative).
• Laissez faire or free rein leadership.
• Bureaucratic or rule – centered leadership.
• Manipulative leadership
  

2.5.2 Autocratic Leadership

This style is used when the leader tells her employees what she wants done and how she wants it done, without getting the advice of her followers. An autocratic leader is work-centered or leader-centered. He concentrates all the authority and all the decision-making powers in himself. He structures the complete work situation for his employees. There is simply no process or procedure; they simply do whatever they are told. He tolerates no deviation from the orders. His subordinates totally depend upon him and are unaware of the organizational goals. The response expected from the subordinates is obedience and adherence to his decisions.

Characteristics of an Autocratic Leader

• He takes all the decisions.
• His right to lead is derived from his positional authority.
• He rewards with wage increases and praise and also punishes by imposing penalties.
• He describes each job in detail and imposes rigid work standards on his employees.

Tough Autocrat is Useful when ……….

• Subordinates are new to the job and have no experience.
• In an emergency when the decisions must be taken immediately.
• When a work group becomes complacent and needs to be goaded into action.
• When a disciplinary action is called for and when hostility and aggressiveness are to be dealt with effectively.

Situation when the Autocratic Leadership is not Desirable ……

• When the employees are knowledgeable about their job and have considerable experience.
• When an established and successful workgroup has already been formed and is working successfully.
• When a job calls for teamwork and cooperation among employees.
• When the supervisor is interested in improving the morale and group attitudes towards the management.