The bureaucratic leadership style is a controversial topic, especially in today’s modern world, where there is a premium on creativity, innovation, and adaptability to change. However, major organizations have benefited from this system wherein order, transparency, and rigid rules are fundamental. So how can you tell if bureaucracy is a good fit for your business?
Bureaucratic leadership is for you if you appreciate the benefits of professional ranking, established rules, and fixed roles. This unbending work atmosphere may be advantageous to a business eager to establish firm roots in its niche. It relies on a hierarchy of leaders and regulations to pave the way to success.
In this article, we will talk about what bureaucratic leadership is all about, how your business can benefit from it, what drawbacks you may encounter from such a setup, and what it takes to be an effective bureaucratic leader. We will also touch on a brief history of bureaucratic leadership, as well as some examples of how this system has worked for major organizations, before discussing some common misconceptions about this leadership style. Let’s start!
What Is Bureaucratic Leadership?
Bureaucratic leadership is a management style with a strict chain of command as its foundation. Rules and regulations are of higher importance than innovation and creativity. Bureaucratic leaders focus on processes and standards rather than employees.
Characteristics of a Bureaucratic Leadership Style
In the military, this type of leadership is often frowned upon by subordinates since it tends to make individuals feel superior and less important. This will attitude will sometimes change if the leader proves to be effective in solving tasks and keeping people safe.
A bureaucratic leadership style is a simple yet sometimes highly efficient method of leading and managing people within an organization. It distributes authority among the specific leaders, and employees follow the rules, guidelines, and strategies they set.
Here’s what bureaucratic leadership entails:
- Levels of authority and leadership. There is a clear chain and hierarchy of command.
- Specific responsibilities and designations. Leaders and employees have distinct, well-defined roles. Each position is occupied by the most proficient at the job. The division of labor within the organization is apparent.
- Strict professional structure. The “corporate ladder” is always taken into consideration when it comes to promotions and movement. Leaders and employees can move up based on performance, experiences, and tenure.
- Career opportunities. Leaders and employees have plenty of growth opportunities, considering the multi-level organizational structure.
- Clear rules and regulations. Rules are clear-cut, and the processes involved in task completion are explicit. Standard operating procedures are always observed and respected.
- Impersonality. In a bureaucratic setup, impersonality and professionalism are essential. This ensures that employees are always dealt with objectively and impartially. Their expertise and what they bring to the table are the main considerations, beginning from the hiring process and all throughout their careers in the organization.
Is a Bureaucratic Leadership Style for You?
A bureaucratic leadership style isn’t for every person or organization, but if you believe the mission requires structure and a rigid set of rules and procedures, then this leadership approach is for you.
You must have a strong regard for authority and hierarchy to thrive in this setup. Which I recently learned I don’t. (I just completed the “Big Five personality test” by Dr. Jordan Peterson and scored very low on politeness).
However, just like any other leadership style, it is best to study this approach closely and consider various aspects that may have significant effects on your employees and organization. Here are some of the pros and cons of bureaucratic leadership:
Pros of Bureaucratic Leadership
- Roles are distinct. You can eliminate confusion concerning responsibilities and expectations because a bureaucratic leadership style clearly defines these for leaders and employees early on. There is usually no overlapping and shifting of roles. Uncertainty is one of the biggest predictors of unhappiness and disengagement, so this is a big deal!
- Discrimination and partiality are avoided. Favoring a particular employee over another without adequate grounds is a common issue in many organizations. This can be avoided with the rigid organizational structure of a bureaucratic leadership style.
- Smoother flow of operations. Thanks to clear rules and regulations, as well as well-defined procedures, everyone knows what to prioritize, when deadlines are, and how to accomplish tasks.
Cons of Bureaucratic Leadership
- Discourages independence. A structured organization may suppress an individual’s resourcefulness. Employees are expected to adhere to a specific set of rules and execute tasks in a predetermined manner.
- Discourages creative freedom. The rigid professional structure in a bureaucratic setup stops employees from being imaginative and original in executing tasks. This prerogative is reserved only for bureaucratic leaders.
- Obstructs teamwork and collaboration. The emphasis on task delegation and distinct roles and responsibilities can prevent compatible employees from working together as a team.
- Impaired efficiency. The team’s productivity may be affected since all matters, projects, and tasks have to pass through the chain of command.
- Slow adaptation to change. Changes and adjustments may take time to implement because anything that contravenes the specified processes, standard guidelines, or routine has to go through the direct supervisors first, as well as each leader above them in the chain of command.
- It may obstruct growth. The rigidity and strict adherence to protocols may not be the ideal setup for budding businesses. Small organizations generally need flexibility and ingenuity to adapt and thrive in various market scenarios.
History of Bureaucracy in Business
German sociologist Max Weber is the founder of the bureaucratic style of leadership. In the 19th century, he proposed that the most efficient way to lead and manage an organization is by establishing a strong leadership structure to handle the reins.
… he proposed that the most efficient way to lead and manage an organization is by establishing a strong leadership structure to handle the reins.
There must be a set of rules and regulations governing the entire organization so that everyone can always work synergistically, seamlessly, and systematically toward common goals.
In the late 1800s, mom-and-pop businesses took the spotlight in Weber’s books when he highlighted that the informal organizational setup in these types of businesses held them back from progress and success.
Weber argued that in this laid-back, unofficial setup, employees tend to mistakenly place their commitment on their leaders rather than on the company.
Weber asserted that a rigid leadership structure where competencies are the main focus for the division of tasks would help make a business more efficient and stable. He emphasized the value of impartiality and objectivity in leading an organization to success.
… a rigid leadership structure where competencies are the main focus for the division of tasks would help make a business more efficient and stable.
Examples of a Bureaucratic Leadership Style
Many major companies and entities worldwide have adopted Mark Weber’s idea of bureaucratic leadership. It has proven to be a wise move for most, with most of the world’s leading organizations today thriving in such a professional and solid organizational setup.
Here are some examples of such institutions and how bureaucracy has helped them thrive and succeed amid changes, crises, and obstacles:
McDonald’s
A company as large as this global brand thrives on bureaucratic leadership. All decision-making is reserved for leaders, while employees are expected to adhere to and always perform their functions efficiently.
A bureaucratic leadership style was strictly enforced by Steve Easterbrook, the president and chief executive of McDonald’s from 2015-2019.
He ensured that the fast food company adopted a more formal approach to business by allowing upper management to make all important decisions.
This resulted in a streamlined and efficient system that has greatly benefited the company’s growth.
Japanese National Railways
Japan is known as a very organized and efficient country, which is highly apparent in its railway system, particularly its bullet trains. These technologically-advanced, high-performance trains have become a significant part of Japan’s transportation industry.
This industry owes part of its success to the bureaucratic leadership style spearheaded by the National Railway’s 4th president, Sinji Sogo. He focused on adopting a more modern approach to leading and managing the company.
Sinji devised rigid rules and guidelines and ensured everyone respected and followed them.
UK Army, World War II
Winston Churchill, UK’s Prime Minister during World War II, also served in the Army and used his training and expertise as a soldier to run the country during a crisis efficiently.
He was a very decisive leader who valued the benefits of structure, a solid chain of command, and clear-cut responsibilities.
He was known for not being easily swayed and practically impossible to persuade. These traits made him an authoritative and respected figure who, along with his delegated leaders, led the country through the crisis.
What It Takes To Be an Effective Bureaucratic Leader
A bureaucratic leadership style relies heavily on its leaders to understand and implement rules and processes.
So, leaders must be exceptionally adept in executing their duties and roles to ensure the whole team is up to standard. Leading and managing can be quite rigid, but with a good chain of command paired with suitable tasks, this leadership style can be highly effective.
Here are some of the essential attributes that an effective bureaucratic leader must possess:
Expertise in the Business
The leaders’ skills and knowledge in running the business are crucial to its success. After all, in a bureaucratic leadership style, they are the ones to decide on which path the organization will take and how the team can help it get there.
Being armed with the right skills, knowledge, and experiences will significantly boost chances for success.
A leader’s expertise also makes them feel more confident in leading and managing their team. Employees must see that their leader is knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced in their industry.
They must view their leaders as experts in their field. This makes it much easier for leaders to command respect from their employees.
Personally, I believe that a leader should be an expert in leading, not in the specific tasks to be executed. But to make a good bureaucratic leader, one must have excellent skills in the details of each process.
Strong Presence
Good bureaucratic leaders must be able to gain respect from their team, too. While having all the skills is important, carrying yourself like a leader is vital.
Many times gaining this respect is a challenge since bureaucratic leaders tend to have personality traits that are better suited to managing logistics and processes than people.
To that effect, good bureaucratic leaders must also lead and manage their teams with empathy. They must always utilize the strength of their style and remain non-discriminatory when making decisions and implementing plans.
Hardworking
Bureaucratic leaders tend to be hardworking and persistent (high in industriousness and orderliness), with their eyes always on the set goals. They focus on adhering to the established professional structure in the organization.
Even during critical times, because they believe that this is what works best.
The best leader is often one that can be emulated to success, so hard work is a must. Employees must see their leader working as hard as them. Not only does it give a good example, but it’s also a great motivator.
These leaders are capable of thinking on their feet and making smart decisions as long as it is within their mandate and rulebook. They are not daunted by the fact that their whole team relies on them to keep the organization always afloat and thriving.
Tips on Implementing a Bureaucratic Leadership Style
Science suggests, and I agree that a bureaucratic leadership style is best reserved for the military, big government agencies, or large companies where structure, stringent rules, and top-down management will be practicable and greatly beneficial.
However, some aspects of this leadership style can be applied to any organization, even smaller ones, especially if you recognize that the benefits will significantly influence the organization’s growth.
Here are some pointers on how to best implement a bureaucratic leadership style in your small team:
- Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Put all important matters in writing — rules, procedures, job descriptions, organizational structure, and strategies. This helps ensure that everyone knows exactly how the company functions. It also ensures continuity when new people join the team, making it easier for leaders to introduce them to the system. I started implementing SOPs on day one of creating Sancus Leadership, and it has saved me hundreds of hours of questions and mistakes.
- Specify job descriptions. Give clear and specific job descriptions for each team member and enforce them. This is one of the hallmarks of bureaucratic leadership since it helps ensure a streamlined workflow. It will create a sense of task ownership and minimizes the risk of “shared responsibility is no responsibility” issue.
- Conduct regular feedback sessions. This helps you check in on each team member’s progress and ensures that they are all contributing to the team. Evaluations also help you make adjustments to maintain efficiency and kill annoyances before they become a problem.
- Merit-based promotions. As a bureaucratic leader, you must not be biased when leading and managing the team. Ensure you use your standards to objectively award promotions only to deserving employees. Don’t allow inflation in your reward systems.
- Be reasonable and reactive. Some areas in the business will not thrive in a bureaucratic setup (such as R&D) since they require creativity and innovation. Areas like finance, resources, and manufacturing may benefit from this leadership style’s structure and transparency.
Misconceptions About Bureaucratic Leadership
Bureaucracy is sometimes seen negatively, especially since it emphasizes formal structures and decision-making roles given solely to the organization’s leaders. However, although this leadership style may not be advantageous for all, it can be a major factor in helping certain businesses succeed. The key is to implement it correctly and judiciously.
Here are some common misconceptions about bureaucratic leadership:
The Formal Structure Is Too Rigid
Formal well-defined structures can often be very advantageous to a company, but this only holds true if the leaders that protocol and procedures are means to efficiency and productivity, not the other way around.
The main benefits of bureaucracy’s rigid system are it simplifies processes and helps maintain order within the organization.
In my experience, the top-down management style allows leaders to easily identify and react promptly and appropriately to crucial issues within the team.
Leaders as Sole Decision-Makers Slows Growth
This idea may hold true if the organization’s leaders aren’t critical thinkers who can make sound decisions on their feet. However, when leaders are truly effective in their job, they can help project the business forward by enforcing intelligent changes and moves.
Delegating the decision-making process to top management is actually a bold and wise move. It helps reduce conflicts and unnecessary input. It removes futile steps that may hinder fast action in times of crisis. Having a set of proficient and reliable decision-makers places the organization in a position where it is able to be agile when needed.
Final Thoughts
Bureaucratic leadership is all about rules and order. It highlights the value of strict protocols and a well-defined, systematic way of accomplishing tasks. It gives emphasis on the paramount roles that leaders play, specifically in terms of decision-making.
Although bureaucratic leadership may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially since it has a tendency to stifle creativity and innovation, it can prove to be beneficial in businesses that will thrive with formal structures and rigid rules. This leadership system helps ensure transparency and efficiency in achieving goals.
