What is Authoritative Leadership?

Authoritative leadership is a leadership style characterized by clear direction, vision, and the ability to inspire and guide team members toward achieving common goals. This leadership approach emphasizes a strong, confident, and charismatic leader who guides and motivates their team towards achieving a shared vision. It’s different from authoritarian leadership, which focuses on strict rules and obedience.

The concept was first outlined in detail in 2002 by Daniel Goleman in his seminal work, Primal Leadership. Under this paradigm, the leader not only sets the vision but also mobilizes people towards it, embodying what is often termed as “visionary leadership.”