Bussiness

Benefits

* Autocracy is a very efficient system. Decisions are made quickly and there is clear chain of command. If something goes wrong, it's the autocrat's fault. Everyone else does what they are told. Autocracy assumes that most workers are not motivated, and only a strong leader can get them to move. Autocrats shine in highly complex tasks, especially those with tight deadlines.

Problems

* Normally, autocrats make quick decisions on a short-term basis. There is no incentive to hone this kind of leadership skill, since the autocrat, by definition, already has a plenitude of power. Autocrats make decisions without consultation; therefore, important details from the floor may be missed. Workers in this environment become dependent on the leader, becoming incapable of ruling themselves. No cooperation comes from autocracy. Most people do not like being pushed around and there is often much resentment against the autocrat.

Significance

* Much of autocracy thinking comes from the "great man" theory of leadership. This approach stresses the power and greatness of a leader that motivates subordinates. Such a person is looked up to, and admired for his power. In this approach, only those who have proven themselves superior in important ways can deserve to take full autocratic power. It is rational to hold that autocrats who have a track record of excellence will be obeyed more readily than an unknown.

Considerations

* In areas of low skill employment, or firms with a high rate of turnover, autocracy is almost the default mode of decision-making. Low-skill, repetitive styles of work produce no real motivation. Autocracy in these kind of workshops is necessary. Participatory or democratic leadership styles seem out of place when employees come and go, since there are no long-term employees that can share power through their knowledge of the system. Many long-term and well-established employees who a firm could not do without can successfully...