What defines autocratic leadership?

Autocratic leadership is characterized by a leadership style where the leader makes decisions unilaterally, without seeking input or feedback from team members. This approach is often utilized in situations that require quick decision-making, where a clear direction is needed, or in environments where the leader has more expertise or authority on the subject matter.

In autocratic leadership, the leader has full control over the decision-making process and expects compliance from team members. This can lead to a more structured environment, allowing for efficiency in operations, especially when deadlines are tight or when the team is inexperienced and requires guidance.

The other options reflect different leadership styles: encouraging team discussions before decisions aligns with democratic or participative leadership, promoting a hands-off approach relates to laissez-faire leadership, and building teams through shared leadership indicates a transformational or collaborative style. None of these capture the essence of autocratic leadership, which is fundamentally about unilateral decision-making.