Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making decisions and expecting followers to comply without input?

1. Democratic

2. Autocratic

3. Participative

4. Laissez-faire

The correct answer is: Autocratic

The leadership style characterized by the leader making decisions and expecting followers to comply without input is the autocratic style. In this approach, the leader retains full control over all decisions and typically does not seek or consider input from team members. This can lead to efficient decision-making in situations where quick action is required or in environments where tasks are straightforward and do not benefit from collaborative input. By maintaining strict authority and clearly defined roles, autocratic leadership can be effective in situations that demand high levels of direction, such as in emergency situations or with untrained staff, where decisive action is necessary. However, this method can also stifle creativity and employee morale if overused, as team members may feel their opinions and insights are undervalued. The other leadership styles, such as democratic, participative, and laissez-faire, encourage varying degrees of input and involvement from team members, which distinguishes them from the autocratic approach.