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Authoritarian leadership, the secret behind Steve Jobs success!

Did the word ‘Authoritarian’ shock you? Well, political correctness aside, there is at least one unique quality of the madman Hitler that is followed by leaders of some of the most successful corporations across the globe – an authoritarian leadership style – a quality that has been a significant reason in ensuring that such corporations are viewed as being amongst the leading business units of this world! This is because while leadership styles which are more democratic are wonderful to read and be applied, such styles can be successful only when the people you are leading are most mature, responsible and ambitious. And despite what one may wish or imagine, finding such people to work with is near impossible!

If you believe that I have tumbled over the edge and am referring back to the days of Theory X management – which used to be ruthlessly applied in the early stages of industrialization when coal mining used to be the key industry – well, it almost is so. The only difference is that technology has made today’s autocratic leadership look very savvy! The best of corporations today have the same lack of trust in their employees’ sincerity levels as they used to have years back in the coal mines. But today, they never really exhibit it vocally. Instead, we have automated processes which leave no option for an employee to work as per his personal preferences.

Whether he likes it or not, phone calls are thrown at him by the automatic software, his restroom breaks are timed, his precise location during office hours is tracked through GPS, and more. Be it manufacturing or services, employees are not given a choice in any great organisation anymore. For the leaders have realized that given a choice, most employees are under productive. So technology is today used to force them to deliver. Autocratic leadership is done unhindered through the use of more and more ruthless technologies. And the most successful leaders use this style of leadership without guilt and to achieve the best of results with the majority of people (but intelligently spare the few mature colleagues they might have who work with passion and without the need for being ordered).

Comments

Harvinder Kumar said…
Steve Jobs showed us that if one can dream big and work on his dream with passion then one can accomplish anything in life....great man indeed
diljeet kaur said…
He was indeed a great man,a leader with great thoughts...
Rohan said…
Steve Jobs was an excellent example of a great leader who dominated his company employees guiding them rightly with his authoritarian leadership style;combined with an unmatchable vision.
Abinaba said…
Good article by the management guru......thanx so much sir for writing these articles that really are very informative.
Tinku Sharma said…
Must have been a great leader.....his leadership skills were the reason for his company's huge success and the tremendous respect that he has earned world-wide.
Steve Jobs was a man with a great vision and a passion for great products.......he is the technology icon of this generation.
Raj said…
What an inspiration for all......the way he spent the last days of his life was simply amazing.....inspite of being so close to death,he never stopped thinking new!!!
Mukesh kumar said…
An amazing leader,Arindam Chaudhuri bringing out the secrets of another great leader..........great blog Sir!!!!
sanjay said…
Indian policy Makers and leaders do need to pick up a lesson or two from the book of successful leaders in the world of business...this could bring a huge change to India's image overall!!!
Sumit said…
I think simply being in the list of the richest in the world is not a big deal......our business men considered among the richest; must learn something from this great leader.
Unknown said…
Steve Jobs' leadership style is an excellent example for the whole world.......he was an will always be an inspiration for people around the world.
rajat said…
Steve Jobs' brilliant concepts and ideas that were turned into technology products have changed the way the world lives......he and his innovative concepts will always be missed.
sonika said…
Just imagine what more could the great leader have contributed to the world.......he took away with him many more great thoughts and products.
tripati sharma said…
The great authoritarian leader and innovative man will always be missed and will live in the hearts of the millions of “gadget lovers” in the world!
Amit said…
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are among the great man of this world...their contribution to technology is tremendous.....thanks to such great thought leaders for making the technology world what it is today!!!!
Nisha said…
Steve jobs is among the many great thought leaders that the world has seen......there are many who have contributed to the world......but its really hard to find out an Indian great leader of this era in that list of great leaders.
Lovely…
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The Y said…
Steve Jobs, true to his name created jobs. If he took away from a few unworthy employees what anyway belonged to him, he was right in doing so. Theory Y is only a facade to Theory X. In an organization, as in the nature, there is no mercy for the underperformers. Nor there should be. In the interest of evolution...
Make me learn said…
Good post . I'm glad I found your site
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