Running head: ANALYSIS OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 1
Analysis of Autocratic Leadership in the Assigned Reading
Name
Institution
ANALYSIS OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 2
Abstract
The autocratic leadership style is considered as one of the bad approaches for leading groups
towards the attainment of shared goals. The analysis of the leadership of Rehoboam and Asa, as
described in 1Kings, revealed the pros and cons of this approach. Aside from the need for
contemporary leaders to understand its relevance to certain situations, the findings of the
examinations of its impact on the decision-making process and success of the kingships of the
two leaders showed that the style should be used tactically. Therefore, we conclude that its
application to future leadership roles in contemporary organizations should be limited to the
implementation of change management plans when cultural factors are the major causes of
performance or system problems.
ANALYSIS OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 3
Analysis of Autocratic Leadership in the Assigned Reading
Autocracy is one of the leadership styles that is condemned by management scholars
because of its role in the development and sustenance of a system where the leader has absolute
control over the group, relies on personal judgment to make decisions, and resentments that
result in the destruction of the group. It is the central theme that resulted from the analysis of the
biblical information in 1Kings on the kingship of Solomon's successors after his death. While the
leadership some of the actions of these leaders appeared courageous and aligned with God's
commandment to his people and his role in their sustenance and survival, the case analysis of
these leaders revealed the demerits of the autocratic leadership, including the lessons for
contemporary religious leaders. Hence, the analysis of the leadership style in the assigned
reading showed that leaders who start well in their roles but finish poorly adopted the autocratic
style that promoted their emphasis on their judgment, resentments within the group, and
disloyalty to God, which are traits that should be avoided to lead successfully in all future
endeavors.
Rehoboam's decision to continue with the culture of idolatry created the political
problems that he believed he could solve without following God's commandment and continued
war with Jeroboam. The analysis of the actions and decisions that this king made during his
seventeen-year reign illustrated the narcissistic nature of the autocratic leader and how it is used
to create internal and external organizational issues that prevent the attainment of goals.
According to Dame and Gedmin (2013), autocratic leaders used narcissism to exaggerate their
capabilities, satisfy their need for affirmation and praise, which creates problems within the
system. Although Rehoboam became the leader of a nation that was prosperous, his autocratic
leadership style resulted in the decline of the nation and subjected the people to more hardship
ANALYSIS OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 4
than the ones that they sought to end after Solomon's death. Therefore, the failure of the
autocratic leader to seek advice from others results in the wrong decision that causes the failure
of the group to achieve the level of success that sustains the system or nation.
Meanwhile, Asa's reformative approach provides an example of the benefits of the
autocratic leadership style and its application to specific situations, including chaotic ones and
major organizational changes. Cunningham, Salomone, and Wielgus (2015) write that autocratic
leaders have the advantage of solving identified problems by giving clear and specific
instructions to their subordinates on the expectations and when it should be achieved. The
analysis of the test showed that Asa demonstrated this trait by chasing the away from the male
cult prostitutes, destroying the idols, including those possessed by his grandmother, Maacah.
Also, the decision to make these reforms during the initial period of his leadership reign
represented the courageous nature of the autocratic leader and one of its strengths in making
major changes to the organization or system. As a result, the analysis of Asa's leadership
approach provides evidence of the positive trait of the autocratic method of leading that is useful
for managing certain situations.
Furthermore, the autocratic leadership approach is relevant for the contemporary
organization when the goal is to address cultural issues that result in poor performance or
unethical behavior. However, Dyczkowska and Dyczkowski (2018) noted that the potential of
the negative effects of this leadership style to create other problems within the organization
makes it imperative for the company to limit its use for implement tactical solutions that entails
discipline and new processes. Also, Friedman and Friedman (2019) corroborated this perspective
when they stated that the lessons from the Biblical information in 1 King illustrates the need for
religious leaders to make the tough decisions regarding their group's obedience to God's
ANALYSIS OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 5
command despite the difficulties that are associated with the decision and potential for resistance
from other senior members who are comfortable with the status quo despite its non-alignment
with Biblical principles. Consequently, today's leaders who are giving the responsibility of
implementing major changes to their organizational system should consider the positive aspect of
an autocratic leadership style that is relevant to their objectives and apply to the resolution of the
problems.
Finally, the reflection on the benefits and disadvantages of their autocratic leaders and
how they impact the success of an organization from the assigned readings, I realized that this
theme would provide guidance on the practices and methods that should be avoidable. It is a
perspective that is supported by Cafferky and Collegedale (2010) when they wrote that
successful leaders are those who understand their strengths and weaknesses and endeavor to
maintain a balance when applying them to all aspects of their roles. Also, this perspective would
be useful for me in my future leadership role, especially when there is a need to make tough
decisions on the directions that the group requires to follow God's commandments. In other
words, the lesson learned from the analysis of this theme would be highly useful in my efforts to
act as a change agent during crisis periods in the organization.
ANALYSIS OF AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 6
References
Cafferky, M. E., & Collegedale, T. N. (2010). Biblical Kingship: A Model for Contemporary
Leaders.
Cunningham, J., Salomone, J., & Wielgus, N. (2015). Project Management Leadership Style: A
Team Member Perspective. International Journal of Global Business, 8(2).
Dame, J., & Gedmin, J. (2013). Six principles for developing humility as a leader. Harvard
Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/09/six-principles-for-developing
Dyczkowska, J., & Dyczkowski, T. (2018). Democratic or autocratic leadership style?
Participative management and its links to rewarding strategies and job satisfaction in
SMEs. Athens journal of business and economics, 4(2), 193-218.
Friedman, H. H., & Friedman, L. W. (2019). What went wrong? Lessons in leadership from
Solomon, the Bible’s wisest and worst ruler. Journal of Values-Based Leadership 12(1),
1-20.
