Authoritative Boss

* The Authoritative Boss (Don Draper, Mad Men) --

The first and most noticeable type of leadership style of boss observed in many companies is 'authoritative' or 'I' dominant type. The authoritative boss is the ultimate risk-taker and has a flair for drama. This type of boss seldom listen or learn from their team but want the entire team to follow what the boss say, this is why they can be very bad communicators. The authoritative boss rarely lets others make decisions, feels he/she is the most qualified and experienced, considers his/her views to be most valid, lacks confidence in others abilities, critical of differing opinions, rarely gives recognition, is easily offended, uses others for his/her benefit, action oriented, highly competitive.

The biggest weakness of this style is the failure to recognize the skills and abilities within other people. They are often denied opportunities to use or exhibit their skills in decision-making venues.

Most important is to acknowledge how clever they are, how they seek justice, and how they find really good shortcuts to get the work done.

Yet, the greatest strength of this style is to produce action when it is needed.

The team members have no choice, either accept and live or leave the organization.

The Autocratic Boss (Vito Corleone, The Godfather) -- Regardless of his physicality, this boss is large and in charge. He is cruel (even a bit of a bully) and sometimes very scary. The leader or manager using this style operates like a dictator. He or she makes all the decisions about what, where, when, why, how things are done, and who will do them. Employees failing to following directions are usually severely disciplined or given cause for “early retirement”. Autocratic bosses tend to impose a daunting presence on their subordinates, give direct orders with a no-questions-asked approach, and lack trust in their workers when it comes to decision-making. Autocratic bosses’ strengths lie in prompt decision-making and...