Not all managers are created equal. They have different management styles based on personal preferences, experience, and education. While there is a broad spectrum of different styles along multiple axes, management styles are commonly grouped into one of three broad types: autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire.
The autocratic manager—among other characteristics—is known for giving orders and not taking questions. This type of leader expects his or her subordinates to follow his or her orders unquestioningly.
While the autocratic management style is fairly common, there are a number of reasons it should be avoided. In addition to the understandable drain on employee morale, this style—or, in particular, the refusal to explain decisions and orders—can hinder employee development, says Mary Jo Asmus, owner of Aspire Collaborative Services LLC. She offers a few suggestions that managers can use to improve their effectiveness with employees.
Show Respect
Nobody likes to feel like he or she isn’t important enough to know the reason behind his or her superior’s decisions or to feel like he or she isn’t trusted or wouldn’t understand management reasoning. Explaining the rationale behind decisions or direction helps show respect and can avoid these negative feelings.
Help Them Understand
It’s not easy for people to blindly follow orders when situations change or questions arise. If your employees understand why you made your decision, they’ll be better able to explain that decision to others and make appropriate modifications if needed while maintaining the spirit of your intensions.
Taking the time to explain the “why” behind decisions or direction can go a long way toward ensuring that employees are on board, motivated, and productive.
Develop Them
As your employees learn how their managers make decisions, they develop personally as well. They may begin to emulate that decision-making process, especially if they see positive results.
Modeling and coaching are two important roles for managers; modeling and coaching effective decision-making skills can help employees improve their own skills in this area.
One Final Big Benefit
There are many reasons to avoid an autocratic management style, but one that also impacts the manager is better time management! Micromanaging employees makes them less confident in their own decisions and actions and more dependent on managers to show them the way. The result?
Coming to their manager whenever they face a situation, however minor, that they’re not sure they’re capable of handling. That’s a drain on your time and a disservice to employees.
Few employees enjoy working for an autocratic leader. While some employees may prefer the simplicity of blindly following orders, these aren’t the employees who are best suited for employee development. By explaining the rationale behind decisions, managers can help make their own lives easier by contributing to the growth of their subordinates.