Leadership Types
Authoritarian

One of the leadership types is an Authoritarian and under most circumstances would be considered a bad thing.

It is someone that believes all power starts and stops with them!

Speaking as someone that was in the Marine Corps, when you are on the battle field you need someone ready to make decisions in an authoritative way. This is a time you can not stand around debating what is the best course of action. You need someone that can make a decision and stand behind it.

However, on the other hand, someone in the normal workforce today may not be thought of in the same way if they are an authoritarian leader.

So what does that look like in practice?

It is someone that may ask for input, but leaves no doubt about who is going to make the final decision.

Certainly someone in a leadership position needs to be able to make the tough decisions.

But someone that presents those decisions in a forceful way will not be respected unless it is a crisis they are dealing with.

Yes, in a crisis you want someone in charge making the right decisions without worrying about how someone else feels.

I have always said it is easier to get a great big bull into the barn by giving it a reason to go there, instead of forcing it from behind.

The latter way generally never ends up good for the bull or the person trying to push him.

An authoritarian leader will tell someone exactly what they want from them. In most cases they will speak down to them in some fashion.

As an example they may say something like, "Here is what I want done and when I want it done by!"

In their personal relationships they most often act the same way, i.e., they are in charge.

You may get results on that project, task, or assignment, but anything more beyond that will be difficult. They will start and stop on your exact directions, and in most cases will not even try to enhance the work. They will also be looking for other employment!

I have always wanted employees who while working on a project are not afraid to enhance it.

In a situation where I don't want this to happen I will clearly let them know that, and why we must stick with our original plan.

An authoritarian most likely will not let them know why. They will say that they don't need to know why.

I would respond that if you want someone that can think on their feet when you are not around, say like on vacation, it may be a good idea to let them know why.

I suppose under the right conditions I have been an authoritarian leader from time to time, but it has been rare.

Unless you fit into one of the categories above where being an authoritarian leader is necessary, I would not recommend it for the long term.

It is not a good leadership attribute to have, for the everyday leader.

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