Does it make sense, as a leader, to put yourself out there in an honest way in hopes that people will do the same? That’s a tough question many leaders may be finding themselves asking. An older version of leadership has the leader sitting in a corner office with all of the answers and very little input from anyone else. They lead in an authoritative way, which is probably not very effective. But are people drawn to that? Maybe at first, but over the long haul, I’m not sure.
Authentic leadership means you are willing to be REAL with people. You want to hear from them and are willing to let your guard down as well. Actually, you want to have some type of relationship with them. It may not be attending each other’s wedding for your kids, but you are trying. For religious leaders or teachers, this can be tough … aren’t they supposed to have all of the answers. We’ve been conditioned to think and believe the leader has no failures, faults or mistakes. The problem with that unreal ideal is that few people will be able to relate to the leader. I believe people are drawn to authenticity, especially in leadership. If you find your leader, your school principal, picking up trash in the hallway it might motivate you to do the same.
Can there be issues with this new found transparency? You bet. (President Obama seems to be trying, but the criticism seems to come even faster.) But the overall result may produce an environment where people can be real with each other and be more effective in accomplishing their goals. Do our schools need to improve? YES. But let’s shine a light, an appropriate size light on our school leaders. Allow them to be authentic and real — then we might see some real change.
Someone that believes all power starts and stops with them certainly fits into the catagory of an authoritarian leader.
Speaking as someone that was in the Marine Corps, when you are on the battle field you need someone ready to make decisions in an authoritative way. This is a time you can not stand around debating what is the best course of action. You need someone that can make a decision and stand behind it.
However, on the other hand, someone in the normal workforce today may not be thought of in the same way if they are an authoritarian leader.
So what does that look like in practice?
It is someone that may ask for input, but leaves no doubt about who is going to make the final decision.
Certainly someone in a leadership position needs to be able to make the tough decisions.
But someone that presents those decisions in a forceful way will not be respected unless it is a crisis they are dealing with.
Yes, in a crisis you want someone in charge making the right decisions without worrying about how someone else feels.
I have always said it is easier to get a great big bull into the barn by giving it a reason to go there, instead of forcing it from behind.
The latter way generally never ends up good for the bull or the person trying to push him.
An authoritarian leader will tell someone exactly what they want from them. In most cases they will speak down to them in some fashion.
As an example they may say something like, “Here is what I want done and when I want it done by!”
In their personal relationships they most often act the same way, i.e., they are in charge.
You may get results on that project, task, or assignment, but anything more beyond that will be difficult. They will start and stop on your exact directions, and in most cases will not even try to enhance the work. They will also be looking for another job and taking it as soon as possible.
I have always wanted employees who while working on a project are not afraid to enhance it.
In a situation where I don’t want this to happen I will clearly let them know that, and why it is important to stick with the original plan.
An authoritarian most likely will not let them know why. They will say they don’t need to know why.
I would respond that if you want someone that can think on their feet when you are not around, say like on vacation, it may be a good idea to let them know why.
I suppose under the right conditions I have been an authoritarian leader from time to time, but it has been rare.
Unless you fit into one of the categories above where being an authoritarian leader is necessary, I would not recommend it for the long term.
It is not a good leadership attribute to have, for the everyday leader.