Authoritarian management (also known as directive management) is above all a classic management style. A quick look in the dictionary will give you the definition: “Business management based on authority, in which dialogue is absent”. Seen from this angle, this managerial approach seems unappealing and unattractive. Yet many managers still use it to this day (perhaps without even realizing it). This is because it’s generally a very easy way of managing a team. You simply give clear directives and your team follows them.

Authoritarian management makes it easier and faster to achieve your organization’s objectives. Democratized in the 19th and 20th centuries, it’s also ideal for streamlining your company’s activities. As a result, productivity and output generally improve. These principles are still valid in today’s market. However, this solution also has a few drawbacks. As the human aspect takes a back seat, job satisfaction is often weakened. Yet this is a condition that millennials hold particularly dear.

The concept of authoritarian management

In directive management, decision-making power is centered on the management team. Often, this role falls to the manager. This means he or she has a certain amount of control over his or her colleagues. In this case, other team members rarely (if ever) have the opportunity to express their views and opinions. They are content to follow the directives already put in place by management. Management closely supervises employees’ actions, and can set limits and rules to ensure continuous improvement. In this case, bottom-up communication takes precedence.

As a general rule, authoritarian management is based on three principles.

The three basic principles

Hierarchical values. In other words, the management team is divided into three distinct management levels. First, of course, are the members of the management team (CEO, board of directors, lessors, etc.) who determine the objectives to be achieved. Then there are the managers, who play a more active role. They coordinate the work of employees and set clear guidelines for productivity. Finally, there are supervisors, who manage day-to-day activities.
Optimizing skills. With authoritarian management, the aim is to make tasks as easy as possible to carry out. It’s a form of work organization that breaks down the company’s objectives into small, simple tasks. Typically, each member specializes in one area and concentrates on that alone. This ensures that everyone’s skills are applied in the area where they are most likely to be exploited.
The system of rewards and sanctions. According to this classic management theory, employees are more motivated when they know there’s a benefit or penalty involved. This is why authoritarian management bases its arguments on incentives. In most cases, these are financial incentives, such as productivity bonuses. The best-performing employees are rewarded for their efforts. The less agile, on the other hand, are given a new orientation. The stick or the carrot. Whatever the case, proponents of this managerial approach often point out that it’s a very effective, but above all very easy way of considerably improving employee productivity and efficiency. It’s hardly surprising, then, that many managers still decide to use it to this day.

What are the advantages of authoritarian management?

Delegative management is often preferred to directive management. Contrary to popular belief, however, classic management does have its advantages. In particular, it is highly beneficial in a job where responsiveness is of the utmost importance. Since it’s vital to make decisions quickly, it’s preferable for the process to be handled by a single person. And who better than the manager! In fact, he or she is in the best position to have the knowledge needed to make effective choices.

Generally speaking, authoritarian management is applied in the manufacturing, military and construction sectors. However, the advantages of this management style are far more numerous than that.

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ADVANTAGES
A clear hierarchy. This minimizes the risk of miscommunication, lost information or guesswork. Every employee knows what to do, and who to report to if there’s a problem.
Greater accountability. Management gives precise orders that must be followed. The tasks to be accomplished are already defined. This means that with authoritarian management, employees are “obliged” to find a way to get the job done. This is particularly important for an individual who usually has difficulty organizing his or her time. This extra push will certainly encourage them to move in the right direction. Which in turn means less stress at work.
Discharge of responsibility. You can appoint a member of your team to take on the role of supervisor in your place. You can, for example, apply this to each department if necessary. This is another advantage of authoritarian management. In a way, it’s a delegative style that lets you offload certain tasks.
Better management of crisis situations. You’re the only one in charge. This means that the decision-making process is completely up to you. It’s up to you to find short- and/or long-term solutions for continuous improvement. You don’t need to consult many people at once. This can overcome the lack of experience of some of your employees. In doing so, you can be more objective and efficient.

What are the limits of authoritarian management?

For some companies, directive management represents the ideal solution for making the most of everyone’s skills. It’s also an excellent way of speeding up decision-making and implementation. There are fewer intermediaries, which gives you a certain amount of freedom. You will rarely find this advantage in participative or collaborative management. However, this management approach also has a number of disadvantages that come up time and again.

In particular, the risk of being compared to a toxic manager is very high. Since your ideas are the only ones that count, your colleagues may feel oppressed by authoritarian management. This can damage their motivation.
Considered a sometimes abusive practice, this type of management can also give rise to social problems such as moral harassment in the workplace. In recent years, this has become a highly sensitive issue, which can have a negative impact on your brand image. This in turn can have a negative impact on your sales.
Similarly, employee satisfaction is not always high. Since they simply follow the instructions given to them, there’s very little room for initiative. It goes without saying that with authoritarian management, prospects for advancement are also limited. Yet this is a very important factor in feeling valued and in promoting happiness at work.
Finally, as decisions are simply taken from your own point of view, the lack of relevance is more considerable. This style often proves ineffective in complex situations such as conflict resolution, which requires the participation of all parties concerned. In fact, it’s probably the most effective way of preventing the same problem from recurring. You’ll easily find a consensus that suits everyone.

So what can you do to make the most of authoritarian management?

Today, positive management has become a value that top talent seeks in a company. That’s why you need to make sure you apply it within your company. As classical management is a somewhat delicate style, you need to use it wisely to take full advantage of the benefits it offers. Here are a few useful tips to help you do just that.

ADAPT YOUR BODY LANGUAGE
The truth is, leadership isn’t just about what you say. You also need to take into account how your employees perceive you. This is the key to establishing authoritative management, without risking negative effects. In particular, you must never appear condescending. Whether in the way you address your employees, the posture you adopt or the expressions on your face.

By doing so, your subordinates won’t feel that you see them in a disparaging light. In fact, it’s quite possible to give clear instructions and show compassion at the same time. At times, consider switching from authoritarian to persuasive management, if this will help you achieve better results.

BE FIRM
This is particularly important, as it will ensure your effectiveness as a manager. So don’t hesitate to set limits, and be uncompromising when necessary. For example, you can apply this to the management of late arrivals, working hours, lunch breaks or the definition of deadlines. Define what is tolerable for you and what is not, right from a new employee’s first day at work.

Authoritarian management requires you to be clear in your approach. But you also need to make sure that everyone is aware of it. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean you have to become a cold, empathy-free person. It simply means that you should act with conviction and without hesitation. This will surely strengthen your position.

SHARPEN YOUR ABILITY TO DELEGATE
You can’t be an expert in everything. The sooner you understand this, the better you’ll be able to carry out your role. So, even if you adopt authoritarian management, learn to delegate too. This will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by work overload. But above all, it helps to reduce day-to-day stress. By combining a delegative style with a directive approach, you’re guaranteed to achieve your company’s objectives, without risking burn-out. What’s more, you’ll be able to concentrate more on other aspects of management.

ALWAYS SET A GOOD EXAMPLE
Human beings tend to be more receptive when you give them a model rather than orders. Of course, authoritarian management can be effective when you use the technique of voluntary submission. But to be at the top of your game, you should also consider setting an example. For example, don’t be the first to deviate from the rules you yourself have imposed.

Likewise, respect yourself to encourage others to respect you in turn. Don’t get carried away for no reason. Don’t throw a tantrum just because one of your team members has done a bad job. Learn to keep your cool in all circumstances, even when the situation doesn’t lend itself to it. Authoritarian management requires you to communicate clearly and comprehensibly. Correct firmly, without getting angry. Always choose the right words.

BOOST YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE
This advice comes up a lot, and for good reason. Having high self-esteem encourages you in your decisions. It’s an essential ingredient in reassuring yourself in your role. You’ll have no trouble expressing yourself confidently and acting with conviction. You’ll be better able to think strategically, unbiased by personal feelings and emotions. This is crucial for efficient authoritarian management. In short, it’s an unstoppable tool that guarantees success.