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The state of leadership is in constant flux. What worked yesterday may not work today, and today’s leaders may find they need to employ a combination of management styles to get the best results.
In a 2024 Harvard Business Publishing report, 70% of leaders surveyed said it’s important or very important to master a wider range of effective leadership behaviors to meet current and future business needs.
People can look to a number of leadership styles to reach desired business outcomes. One such approach is authoritative leadership.
What Is Authoritative Leadership?
Authoritative leadership is a management style where leaders guide their teams with a clear vision, inspire enthusiasm and motivate by example. According to Friederike Fabritius, neuroscientist and bestselling author of “The Brain-Friendly Workplace,” authoritative leadership is a leadership style that’s characterized by giving clear direction and making sure everyone knows what they have to do.
There are three salient sub-styles of authoritative leadership, which Laura Barnard, author of the upcoming book “Leadership Stereotypes” and founder of BREAKTHRU Brands, describes as:
- The Pathfinder: A leader who has the ability to envision a harmonious team and create a pathway to it. This leader focuses on channeling positive energies and using them as foundational pillars for building structured outcomes.
- The Navigator: A leader who commands control and aims to be the driving force behind organized success. This leader sees the larger picture and knows the importance of influencing key elements or stakeholders to ensure the entire system runs smoothly.
- The Guide: A leader with a deep understanding of the context at hand, who shares insights and helps others manage through complexities. This leader uses knowledge as a compass to direct the efforts of others toward intended outcomes.
Authoritative Leadership vs. Authoritarian Leadership
Authoritative leaders are not to be confused with authoritarian leaders, who try to assert control over their followers, explained Thomas Roulet, chaired professor of Organisational Sociology & Leadership at the University of Cambridge.
Authoritarian leadership, also referred to as autocratic leadership, is a strict, control-oriented management style where decisions are made unilaterally by the leader with little to no input from team members. Authoritarian leadership style emphasizes obedience, structure and clear hierarchy, which can result in a highly disciplined — yet potentially less creative — work environment.
In turn, Roulet describes authoritative leadership as having a focus on “deploying a clear vision and setting a path” — which he argues is a leadership style very much akin to that of charismatic or transformational leaders.
Related Article: How to Identify Your Leadership Style
Characteristics of Authoritative Leadership
Authoritative leaders excel by setting clear visions and exemplifying the values they preach. Fabritius outlined some key characteristics that define this leadership style:
- An understanding of the business and how to move it forward
- Great communication skills to give clarity on what needs to be done
- A people person who can build alliances and motivate a team
- A degree of empathy and emotional intelligence to understand where people are coming from
- The ability to build a strong team that can execute a specific vision
Barnard added that authoritative leaders also need the “ethos” — they need to be able to show they know the right path and the right vision. “Those types of leaders might naturally place themselves above their followers and would need to be seen by them as higher status and better skilled.”
When to Use an Authoritative Leadership Style
“Authoritative leadership can be transformational when used effectively,” said Dr. Merary Simeon, an HR strategist and the co-founder of ZERA Consulting, though this leadership style tends to work best in certain situations or unique circumstances. She says it is particularly effective with:
- Turnaround Situations: Companies undergoing restructuring or those struggling with inefficiencies benefit from a strong leader who can establish clear directives and realign the team dynamics with organizational goals.
- Startups and New Ventures: In early-stage companies where a strong, guiding vision is needed to build the business, an authoritative leader helps set the tone for success, providing focus and direction to newly formed teams.
- High-Risk Environments: In industries such as healthcare, law enforcement and military operations, where the safety of people is paramount, an authoritative leader can direct team members decisively and confidently.
- Crisis Management: When immediate and accurate decisions are needed, as in product recalls, civil unrest, natural disasters, financial crises or medical emergencies, an authoritative approach can steer the team toward swift and effective action.
According to Roulet, authoritative leadership can also be a “transitional” state — something to get people excited about work, motivated and growing when needed, before switching back to another style of leadership.
However, he cautioned, using this approach as a temporary fix could have long-term consequences. Employees might see you differently, and the authoritative image might stick. “There is a lot of inertia in how followers perceive their leaders.”
Related Article: What Is Participative Leadership?
Pros and Cons of an Authoritative Leadership Style
It’s important to understand the pros and cons of an authoritative leadership style if you’re considering adopting it as part of your management process. Knowing both the upsides and downsides can help you determine the most appropriate times to leverage it.
Pros of Authoritative Leadership
Authoritative leadership can offer certain advantages. Some of the pros of this leadership style include:
- Efficiency: This leadership style reduces confusion and delays because the leader provides direct instructions, quick decision-making and specific goals, said Dr. Simeon.
- Clear Direction: Authoritative leaders provide clear direction and are good when followers are unsure about the right course of action, explained Roulet.
- Improved Communication: These leaders value open communication, fostering an environment where every team member feels heard and informed.
- Motivation: Authoritative leaders often inspire their teams by laying a compelling vision and mobilizing people to achieve objectives, noted Dr. Simeon.
- High Performance: An authoritative style of leadership sets high standards and holds teams accountable, driving strong performance and achievement of goals, explained Dr. Simeon.
Cons of Authoritative Leadership
No leadership style is all rainbows and butterflies. Authoritative leadership is no exception. Some of its cons include:
- Lack of Flexibility: This leadership style is often rigid, which can stifle creativity and limit team members’ ability to contribute ideas or suggest alternatives, said Dr. Simeon.
- Lack Proximity With Followers: These leaders can appear too distant and disengaged from the growth of their team members, explained Roulet.
- Over-Dependence on Leader: Teams may become overly reliant on an authoritative leader, noted Dr. Simeon, which can be problematic if the leader is unavailable or leaves.
- Over-Emphasis on Pragmatism: This leadership style is often too practical at the expense of exploring possibilities, said Barnard.
- Decreased Engagement: If the leader fails to provide opportunities for team members to voice opinions and new ideas, morale can decline, said Dr. Simeon, particularly when workers feel undervalued or overlooked.
How Can You Become an Authoritative Leader?
Think an authoritative leadership style might make sense for you? Whether it’s a long-term strategy or a short-term solution, Dr. Simeon outlined several steps you can take to adopt this style:
1. Develop a Clear Vision
Have a compelling and strong vision that you can communicate clearly to your team. This vision should inspire and align with organizational goals.
2. Build Trust
“Trust is fundamental to the success of authoritative leadership,” said Dr. Simeon. To earn it, you must be consistent in your approach, follow through on promises and hold everyone — including yourself — accountable. On top of that, you must support your team and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed.
3. Cultivate Empathy & Feedback
Balancing authority with empathy is essential, according to Dr. Simeon. “Take time to understand your team’s challenges and provide feedback that is both supportive and constructive.”
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4. Strengthen Your Decision-Making
You will need to improve your ability to make swift and confident decisions — especially in high-stakes situations. “This comes with experience and an understanding of the specific needs of your industry or environment,” said Dr. Simeon.
5. Enhance Your Communication Skills
A crucial element of this leadership style is the ability to articulate your vision and instructions with clarity. Effective communication ensures alignment with your team and eliminates any confusion that might arise.
6. Learn to Inspire and Motivate
“Great authoritative leaders do more than give orders; they inspire their teams to achieve more,” noted Dr. Simeon. Sharing your passion for the vision and the purpose behind goals can ignite motivation and mobilize your team toward achieving outstanding results.
7. Gain Crisis Leadership Experience
An authoritative leader needs experience handling emergencies, significant transitions and high-pressure environments. As noted, this leadership style works best in environments where a lot of change and confusion exists, and a successful authoritative leader needs to know how to take charge.
8. Reflect and Seek Feedback Often
Becoming an authoritative leader involves seeking input from your team and continuously reflecting on your leadership style, said Dr. Simeon. “This will help you adapt and improve over time, ensuring you use this approach in the most effective contexts.”
Related Article: Hybrid Work Leadership Is Hard. Some Tips to Get It Right
Is Authoritative Leadership Right for You?
Only you can determine if an authoritative leadership style is right for you based on your organization, your team and the circumstances you might be going through.
Other leadership styles you might want to explore include:
- Participative Leadership: Also called democratic leadership, this leadership style involves including team members in the decision-making process.
- Transformational Leadership: A style where leaders inspire and motivate followers to exceed expectations by fostering innovation, personal growth and a shared vision.
- Servant Leadership: When leaders prioritize the needs of team members and stakeholders, aiming to serve rather than lead from a position of power.
- Coaching Leadership: Where leaders focus on developing individuals, offering guidance and feedback to help them achieve personal and professional goals.
- Affiliative Leadership: A style of leadership that emphasizes emotional bonds and harmony among team members, fostering a positive, inclusive work environment.
Remember that any management style you choose doesn’t have to be permanent. You can adapt the traits that make the most sense at a moment in time or combine multiple leadership styles to develop an approach that works best for you or the situation at hand.
