Explain the meaning, advantages and disadvantages of Autocratic Leadership Style.

Meaning: It refers to that leadership style in which the leader tends to run the show all by himself.

Advantages:

(i) Quick and Clear Decisions: Because of the centralised authority all the decisions are taken by a single individual and hence there is no unnecessary delay and the decisions are comparatively clear.

(ii) Satisfactory Work: Since the work performance of the employees is under strict control, the quantity and quality of the work happen to be satisfactory.

Disadvantages:

(i) Lack of Motivation: This style does motivate the managers but it lowers the morale of the employees. This is natural because working in an environment of fear does lower their morale.

(ii) Agitation by Employees: Since the employees are not given any participation in taking decisions, they are turned into machines — working like machines incapable of doing anything of their own. Similarly, managers can make the employees do as they wish. The employees consider such a leadership style as uninteresting and oppose it.