"An autocratic leadership style obstructs diffusion and productive use of email. Since it is accompanied by dysfunctional communication patterns, use of computer-mediated communication in a modern work environment reinforces the negative impact of an autocratic leadership style on productivity and has damaging consequences for communication in organizations," Dr. Stefan Seltmann (University Siegen/Germany) reports (in his textbook "Changing Media Markets in Europe and Abroad").
"Differentiating between autocratic and democratic leadership is considered outdated, when we turn to modern leadership theory. Transformational leadership is presently viewed as the most modern form of leadership. A manager with a transformational leadership style is characterized by motivating employees with inspiring goals, paying attention matters of concern of individuals, and breaking up worn-out patterns of thinking.
Researchers believe that this relatively new leadership concept has its future in virtual teams. Modern approaches require a team-oriented leadership style.
As we were able to show with the results of our study, autocratic leadership is still predominant in connection with computer-mediated communication and even gaining ground. Focusing leadership efforts on elaborate concepts such as conveying common visions as is the case in transformational leadership, does not appear feasible for the moment, as long as the basics for team-oriented leadership, such as participation, for instance, are missing.
Modern computer-mediated communication stands in opposition to these leadership ideas, if autocratic leadership becomes an option again or is facilitated thereby ..."
Changing Media Markets in Europe and Abroad – New Ways of Handling Information and Entertainment Content
Schorr, A.; Seltmann, S. (Eds.)
