Dietetic Technician Practice Test

What characterizes an autocratic leadership style?

1. Encouraging team input

2. Decision-making without group consent

3. Sharing power among all members

4. Seeking consensus in decision-making

The correct answer is: Decision-making without group consent

An autocratic leadership style is primarily characterized by decision-making without group consent. In this leadership approach, the leader maintains significant control over all decisions and often does not seek or value input from team members. This style can be effective in situations where quick decisions are necessary, or where the leader has more expertise than the team, but it typically limits collaboration and may result in lower team morale over time. In contrast, the other choices highlight participatory aspects of leadership, such as encouraging input, sharing power, and seeking consensus—all of which are key characteristics of democratic or participative leadership styles. These styles emphasize collaboration, empowerment, and the value of diverse perspectives, which are not embraced in an autocratic framework.