Bureaucracy.

This word brings up thoughts of red tape, piles of paperwork, long lines, and, in some cases, large dysfunctional organizations. So, where did the term bureaucracy come from, and how does it apply to leadership?

WHAT IS BUREAUCRATIC LEADERSHIP

Bureaucratic principles have been with us since the days of the Egyptians. Bureaucratic leadership is a form of management administration involving layers of hierarchy, rules, and regulations to allow an organization to run more efficiently. More recently, Max Weber is credited with developing the concept of a bureaucratic organization.

According to Weber, three types of power can be utilized in an organization:

Traditional power is authority based on the traditions and beliefs of the organization.

Charismatic power originates from the leader’s personal qualities, insight, and achievements that inspire others to follow.

Legal power is derived from the organization’s laws, rules, and governance and the area in which the leader operates.

Within the bureaucratic structure, there are varying opinions about the number of tenets—however, most center around a common theme: specialized, highly regulated, and clearly defined elements.

The concepts most associated with bureaucracy are: 

• Authority follows a specific hierarchy.
• There are set formalized rules and regulations in place.
• Tasks and positions are very specialized and defined.
• Reflects a high level of impersonality to ensure fairness.
• Career orientation focus centers on expertise and skill sets.
• A formal selection process exists with a set criteria standard.

These principles allow organizations to provide a structure where employees can work efficiently and effectively. This approach also offers pathways to achieving goals based on skills and expertise rather than “who you know.” Bureaucracy creates and sustains a workflow to help move the organization’s processes along while minimizing favoritism and creating an environment that works towards best practices in the industry. 

WHY IT’S NOT RIGHT FOR EVERY SITUATION

The bureaucratic leader relies on the hierarchy in place to exude power or influence over team members. There are processes in place that guide the workflows. Roles are well-defined, and staff members are highly specialized in their specific areas. However, individuals in a bureaucratic leadership role may find that the ability to “think outside the box” is severely limited as “the box” is heavily defined. Additionally, most rules and regulations are based on what worked in the past. Due to this, the ability to adapt to change is also severely limited. Bureaucratic leaders must balance the benefits of having policies and procedures with the disadvantages of not being able to move beyond the scope of the parameters surrounding them and their daily functions.

MAKING IT WORK

The need for a bureaucratic leadership style can vary depending on what type of team or department a person is leading. A leader of a financial department would benefit from this approach when setting guidelines for spending and allocating funds. However, this leader may also utilize other leadership styles in other areas of their position as their entire position is not dictated by bureaucratic tenets.

Bureaucracy is here to stay…no matter what emotions it evokes. It serves the purpose of allowing large organizations to function. Bureaucratic leaders will always be a part of these organizations and their processes. 

TAKE ACTION

Now that you have more insight into a bureaucratic leadership style, you are better prepared to determine if it is a tool you can use and under what circumstances. What elements of this style can you use in your current role, and what impact do you see it having on your performance and your team’s performance? What has been your experience working in a bureaucratic environment? As always, we invite you to jump in and be a part of the conversation and movement to impact how leaders lead positively! To learn more about how we can create a learning experience for your organization, email us at ala@deneenattard.com.

Learning on a Dime is a collaboration between DeNeen K. Attard and Jeni McIntosh-Elkins.  

Click here if you are ready to schedule your 1:1 leadership strategy call.