1.4.5 - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of autocratic leadership

• Fast decision making as there is no need for group discussion, allows for the company to remain agile and competitive

• Staff have a clear understanding of their roles and expectations, minimising errors to ensure consistent quality

• Good for if a team is inexperienced and need guidance, it may reduce training time and tasks get done faster, boosting productivity

Disadvantages of autocratic leadership

• Can lead to low employee morale as staff have no input on decisions

• Departments or the business can be too dependent on the leader, which may cause bottlenecks which could lead to slower decision making

• Higher labour turnover due to employees who feel undervalued and micromanaged

Advantages of democratic leadership

• Employees feel more included and respected, leading to higher motivation and productivity

• Different perspectives from staff could lead to innovation, helping them adapt and stay ahead of competitors

• Cultivates staff to become future leaders, allowing for succession planning to reduce dependence on external hiring

Disadvantages of democratic leadership

• Decision making is slower as reaching a consensus often takes time, especially with large teams or complex issues

• Risks staff having increased conflicts, which may reduce teamwork skills, leading to poorer efficiency

• Some employees will dominate discussions, leaving other voices not to be heard. These staff will not feel any of the benefits

Advantages of paternalistic leadership

• Employees are loyal as they feel personally cared for, leading to reduced labour turnover

• Emphasises on harmony and respect within the workplace, resulting in lower distractions to improve focus, leading to increased efficiency

• Leaders have control but are approachable, which provides discipline whilst at the same time reducing friction, leading to fewer misunderstandings and smoother operations

Disadvantages of paternalistic leadership

• Departments or staff can be too dependent on the leader, which may cause bottlenecks which could lead to slower decision making

• Risk of favouritism - managers may delegate less monotonous tasks to certain staff, decreasing other’s morale

• Staff still do not get any input on decisions, even if the leader thinks they know what is best for them - increasing the risk of labour turnover as staff become dissatisfied

Advantages of Laissez-Faire leadership

• Employees feel empowered as they have freedom to make decisions and solve problems independently, leading to increased innovation. This is especially good for high skilled environments (ie R&D)

• The leader can focus on strategy and big-picture goals as staff are responsible for day-to-day operations

• Experienced professionals can move quickly without waiting for approval, accelerating workflow and project turnaround.

Disadvantages of Laissez-Faire leadership

• A lack of direction could lead to confusion and duplication of effort - hurting productivity

• Without close supervision, errors may go unnoticed for an extended period of time, leading to customer dissatisfaction

• Less experienced and less motivated employees may struggle without clear leadership and support, and may become stressed or disorganised, leading to reduced team output