Autocratic & Democratic Leadership Styles

After earning a bachelor's in philosophy, finance, and history from Boston College, Albert "Al" Hanley III worked in education at The Commercial Driver's License School, Inc. in Albany, New York. Presently, he works in the transportation industry, where he serves as a division president at Transforce Group. Al Hanley III has over three decades of experience as a skilled leader in every industry he ventures into.

Choosing a personal leadership style might be difficult initially because some people do not have a good sense of who they are. Others are oblivious to all the different styles in existence. Fundamentally, knowing both is crucial to finding a leadership style unique to the person.

An excellent way to begin is to understand what leadership style even means. A person's leadership style refers to their attitude and methods of organizing, directing, and inspiring others—whether colleagues or employees. A person's style defines the strategies they execute and the ethics they promote.

There are several leadership styles, including autocratic leadership and democratic leadership. "Do as I say" is the mantra of every leader who adopts the authoritarian leadership style. Such an individual is confident they are the most qualified and efficient member of a team and would often make decisions without considering the recommendations of others. This style might have been prevalent in the past but is no longer favorable in modern times. However, it is useful in extreme situations where the most knowledgeable team member must make critical decisions.

The democratic leadership style is the complete opposite of the autocratic style. Usually, under democratic leadership, team members are implored to contribute their opinions and recommendations to execute a project. Because of its inclusivity for all team members and employees, the style has become one of the most influential and popular choices in contemporary times.

Leadership Skills for Future Success

Al Hanley III has a career in business management that spans three decades. With several roles in upper management throughout his career, Albert Hanley III has held leadership roles.

Management in every business must possess the right leadership skills to motivate their staff and be successful properly. A leader must be able to show empathy towards their employees. The leader must be able to see situations from someone else’s perspective and try to relate to them. This will show employees that they have a leader who really cares and has their best interests in mind. Leaders must also communicate with employees about various aspects of the job and cultivate a culture of open communication amongst employees and management.

Flexibility is becoming more normal in the workplace, especially with the global pandemic forcing many to work remotely. A leader must understand that regular office hours do not apply in most situations now, and trust their employees enough to get the work done without setting restrictions on working hours.