The ability to read a room is a learned skill. However, once learned, it clearly reflects the true nature of the speaker.
Over the coming weeks, I am breaking down a simple office errand. Known as a coffee run, I will analyze this simple request and what it says about their leadership style.
Today, I kick off this feature with autocratic leadership.
Movies about office life have been made based on the autocratic leadership style. Does anyone remember the classic 80s film, 9 to 5? A favorite of mine, their boss is a great, albeit exaggerated, example.
If you haven’t seen the movie, I recommend it. It features Dolly Parton and her song of the same name.
I am willing to bet most who have entered the workforce at one time or another have faced this beast.
They are the most important person in the room, and they know it. They want their office to flow like a well-oiled machine, and they are unapologetic about that.
Most people correlate this leadership style with some of the worst jobs they’ve held.
My first adult job, beyond self-employment, was for a man who encompassed this entire image. We made a lot of jokes about him behind his back. It was the best we could do to lighten the heavy atmosphere he created around us.
A short, homely man, we referred to him as a troll. When a ceiling tile was removed for repairs, we joked that he lived up there. The joke was that he would just pop down to scream on occasion. Yes, we looked up, verbally “reassuring him” that we weren’t slacking.
After making it to management and no longer wishing to handle his abuse, I took my glorious exit.
Maybe I was just too tired of coming home from work and screaming into the ether. Not sure.
If you’ve met this type, you know it. Trust me.
Besides low morale among the team, this leadership style tends to suppress innovation in the workplace.
So why does it exist? Well, this style is great for making quick decisions. If only one person is generating input into a decision, the turnaround is much faster.
They believe their way is the best, so they handle all of the decision-making for the company.
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Autocratic leaders make fast decisions—but often silence the voices that could have made them better.
If you found this through any of those search terms, I hope it offered the clarity you needed. Thank you for coming by!
Angela J Shupe—Stitched Business Solutions 
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