Leadership Styles: A Comparative Analysis (Autocratic vs. Democratic)

This assignment provides a comparative analysis of autocratic and democratic leadership styles. The introduction defines leadership and sets the stage for the comparison. The main body contrasts the two styles, highlighting their key differences, such as decision-making authority and communication methods. The essay argues that democratic leadership is more suitable for contemporary organizations due to increased education levels, the complexity of modern work processes, and the focus on employee development. The justification section explains why democratic leadership aligns better with the needs of educated employees and specialized roles. The conclusion reinforces the preference for democratic leadership in fostering organizational growth and employee empowerment. The assignment includes a list of references including books and journals.

Leadership Styles

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Comparison Between Autocratic and Democratic Leadership Style..........................................1
Justification.................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
Leadership can be defined as the process or power of influencing the behaviour of other
persons in the way in which the leader wants to do (Leadership Basics, 2019). The following
assignment is based on two leadership styles upon which the comparison will be made. In
addition to this, the assignment will also provide justification for the suitability of one leadership
style over the other one. The comparison in this assignment will be made in between Autocratic
Leadership Style and Democratic Leadership Style.
MAIN BODY
Comparison Between Autocratic and Democratic Leadership Style
Autocratic Leadership Style Democratic Leadership Style
 The following leadership style can be
defined as the style in which the whole
of the power to take decisions are under
the control of one hand only. In other
words, it can also be said that the power
to make decisions is centralised in this
type of leadership style (Zhao, Hwang
and Lee, 2016).
 It is a traditional approach of leadership
style.
 It is suitable in cases where the task is
very complex and the leader makes use
of his/her own experience to bring
positive results.
 This leadership style does not provide
the employees a chance to grew up with
their skills and abilities.
 It follows only the single way
communication.
 This leadership style can be defined as
the leadership style in which the power
to take decisions does not lie in the
hands of one person only. In other
words, the power to take decisions is
decentralised or distributed in this type
of leadership style.
 This is the modern approach of
leadership style followed in most of the
organisations.
 It is suitable in cases where there is a
need to make employees responsible
and accountable so that their skills and
abilities could be improved (Moorosi
and Bantwini, 2016).
 In this leadership style, chances to grow
and develop are provided by the
companies to their employees.
 This leadership style focuses on two
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 The following leadership style focuses
on the outcomes, i.e., task oriented
leadership style (Kaiser, 2017).
way communication.
 This leadership style has made its focus
on relation in between the employees
and the company.
Justification
From the above discussed two leadership styles, the most suitable leadership style for the
organisations operating in today's world is Democratic Leadership Style. It is so because of the
improvement in level of education and standard of living (Fiaz, Su and Saqib, 2017). In this era,
people are highly educated and the process of working of an organisation is also highly advanced
which needs educated and experienced person. As all the processes cannot be handled by a single
person. So democratic leadership style is more suitable than autocratic leadership style.
Another reason is because now the employees are also focusing on individual goals along
with the organisational goals. They are focusing on their own personal and professional
development (Bekiari, 2016). They are specialised in their work and have the full knowledge
about any specific work or machinery. In order to delegate power, companies are hiring highly
skilled, experienced people for the posts vacant in their organisation. That is why Democratic
Leadership Style is more suitable than Autocratic Leadership Style.
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment it has been concluded that democratic leadership style is
more appropriate in modern organisations which could help and ensure their proper growth and
development. In addition to this, it is also concluded that specialisation is also important to
delegate power to the employees.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bekiari, A., 2016. Insights into instructors’ verbal aggressiveness and students’
Machiavellianism through leadership style and motivational climate. European
Scientific Journal, ESJ. 12(25). p.90.
Fiaz, M., Su, Q. and Saqib, A., 2017. Leadership styles and employees' motivation: perspective
from an emerging economy. The Journal of Developing Areas. 51(4). pp.143-156.
Kaiser, J. A., 2017. The relationship between leadership style and nurse‐to‐nurse incivility:
turning the lens inward. Journal of nursing management. 25(2). pp.110-118.
Moorosi, P. and Bantwini, B. D., 2016. School district leadership styles and school
improvement: evidence from selected school principals in the Eastern Cape Province.
South African Journal of Education. 36(4). pp.1-9.
Zhao, X., Hwang, B. G. and Lee, H. N., 2016. Identifying critical leadership styles of project
managers for green building projects. International Journal of Construction
Management. 16(2). pp.150-160.
Online
Leadership Basics. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.managementstudyguide.com/leadership_basics.htm>
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