Authoritative Leaders

Studies conducted by Hay / McBer examined the observations of thousands of executives; trying to understand their behaviors and their impact on the work environment. This team wanted to better understand how a particular leadership approach affects their direct reports.

The findings of this study indicate the authoritative leader has the most positive impact of all styles on the overall operating climate. This style creates a very positive and upbeat place to work.

Even though authoritative leaders have the most positive affect on the work environment, it isn't necessarily the style that should be emulated all of the time. In particular, if a new manager finds themselves placed into a workgroup of "experts," it may be difficult, if not impossible, for this new leader to enter the group and immediately express their vision of where the workgroup should go.

This example brings to light the fact that Situational Leadership is just that: an approach that needs to adapt to each situation. Someone may have been successful with the authoritative leadership style when they were the "resident expert." But when someone's direct reports are now the experts, then a different style is needed to remain successful.

We're starting out with Bill Gates because this style exemplifies his leadership abilities. As is the case with many CEOs, Bill Gates was able to successfully move Microsoft in the direction he saw the industry going and amassed a vast fortune (find out his daily earnings and net worth here).

Even though Mr. Gates eventually removed himself from some of the daily operations of Microsoft, he was still thought of as an industry visionary - an authority. The personal computer is playing a greater role in America, and Bill Gates has done much to further its advancement. He had a vision, he told the world, and he aligned the resources of Microsoft with that vision.

One of the many things that John F. Kennedy is remembered for is his vision concerning the United States' space program. On September 12, 1962, while speaking at Rice University, President Kennedy said:

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win..."

He then went on to talk about "metal alloys that had not yet been invented" that are "capable of withstanding heat and stresses several times more than have ever been experienced." He had a vision of sending a man to the moon and back safely. He even explained how it was going to be accomplished. John F. Kennedy was exhibiting an authoritative leadership style that mobilized the resources of an entire nation towards this single goal.

Our final example of an authoritative leader is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He is another great leader that was able to mobilize a nation towards a vision. Here is how Dr. King expressed this vision:

"So I say to you, my friends, that even though we must face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

During this same "I have a dream" speech, Dr. King explained the exact path to this freedom:

"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline."

He was speaking with authority, he knew what the future could look like, and he needed his followers to understand how he wanted to achieve this vision. During this speech, he exemplified the "come with me" characteristic associated with authoritative leaders.

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