Difference Between Autocratic And Democratic Leadership
The main dissimilarities or differences between autocratic leadership style and democratic leadership style can be pointed out as follows:
1. Introduction
Autocratic Leadership: Strict type of leadership style where a leader enjoys full authority with centralized power.
Democratic Leadership: Liberal type of leadership style where a leader believes in power sharing and group decision making.
2. Decision Making
Autocratic Leadership: All decisions are taken by the leader without consulting others.
Democratic Leadership: Subordinates are also involved in decision making process.
3. Authority
Autocratic Leadership: It follows centralized authority
Democratic Leadership: It follows decentralized authority
4. Communication
Autocratic Leadership: It uses one way communication (top to bottom) system
Democratic Leadership: It uses two way communication (both top to bottom and bottom to top) system.
5. Control
Autocratic Leadership: Strict control system is applied
Democratic Leadership: Loose control system is applied
6, Autonomy
Autocratic Leadership: Less autonomy
Democratic Leadership: High autonomy
7. Motivation
Autocratic Leadership: It practice negative motivational approaches such as threat, punishment, orders etc.
Democratic Leadership: It practice positive motivational approaches such as promotion, rewards, compensation etc.
8. Decision Making Process
Autocratic Leadership: Quick decision making process
Democratic Leadership: Slow decision making process
9. Suitability
Autocratic Leadership: It is suitable if subordinates are not experienced, unskilled and unqualified.
Democratic Leadership: It is suitable for qualified, skilled, specialized and educated subordinates.
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10. Behavior
Autocratic Leadership: It is task oriented or job centered leadership style
Democratic Leadership: It is relation oriented or employee centered leadership style.
Autocratic Vs Democratic Leadership (Comparison Chart)
I hope this post is helpful to understand the difference between autocratic leadership and democratic leadership style and to make comparison between them.
Autocratic Vs Democratic Leadership (Comparison Chart)
Basis For Difference
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Autocratic Leadership
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Democratic Leadership
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Introduction
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Leadership style with centralized power and authority
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Leadership style with dispersed power and authority
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Decision Making
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By top manager
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Group decision making
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Authority
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Centralized
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Decentralized
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Communication
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One way
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Two way
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Control
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Strict
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Loose
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Autonomy
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Less
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High
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Motivational Approach
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Negative
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Positive
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Quick Decision
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Yes
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No
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Suitable For
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Unskilled and unqualified subordinates
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Skilled and qualified subordinates
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Behavior
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Task oriented
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Relation oriented
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I hope this post is helpful to understand the difference between autocratic leadership and democratic leadership style and to make comparison between them.