1.

Introduction

Leadership can be defined as the aptitude to effectively exert influence and provide assistance to
a collective or assembly of individuals. It is imperative to acknowledge that good leadership
encompasses a broader scope than merely engaging in top-down delegation (Sethuraman &
Suresh, 2014). A leader of exceptional calibre possesses the ability to effectively engage in
negotiation. A leader that has affected my personality significantly was our supervisor “Jonathan
Hutcherson”, during my working in a government agency as compliance officer in industrial
hygiene section. This person has inspired me through both negative and positive leadership and
personality attributes. He was more of an “Autocratic” leader, who controls and takes all the
decision and takes no input from employees or team members.

The responsibility of compliance department in our company was to assist management and
company to understand the threats they face and take the necessary precautions. To counteract
these threats, the company puts safeguards into place. The efficient functioning of procedures in
the management of a company's risk exposure is tracked and reported on by the compliance
department. The division also provides guidance on internal policies and procedures and handles
any compliance issues that may occur. Officers working in the compliance department have an
obligation to their employers to help detect and control regulatory risk by collaborating with
upper management and other employees. Their purpose is to check that an organisation has
internal controls to monitor and handle any potential threats.

2. Leadership Role of My Supervisor

Compliance refers to measures taken to guarantee that rules and regulations are followed. A code
of conduct, social standard, or binary right/wrong language underlies every statute. Experts in
compliance must educate non-expert business teams on the values and norms underlying laws
and processes, the relationship between these standards and their operations, and the challenges
they may confront (Martin, 2015). These verbal and written communication abilities are crucial,
as they will be used to explain to business leaders why particular actions are necessary and how
to incorporate them into daily operations. Some of the primary characteristics of Mr. “Jonathan
Hutcherson” leadership style include:
  Exhibits limited or negligible involvement of group members in decision-making
processes.
 Imposes a heavy reliance on his own leadership to make the majority of decisions.
 Empowers himself with the authority to dictate work techniques and processes.
 Generates a sense of distrust among group members, as they perceive a lack of
confidence in their decision-making capabilities.
 Exhibits a propensity for generating environment that are characterised by a high degree
of rigid atmosphere and inflexibility.
 Discourages the cultivation of innovative and unconventional modes of thinking.
 Institutes regulations that are typically well-defined and effectively conveyed.

His leadership style has affected me positively in following ways, irrespective of his strict
behavior, made him a good leader;

 Facilitates quick decision-making, particularly in high-pressure circumstances.

 Provides a transparent hierarchy or supervisory structure.
 Demonstrates efficacy in contexts that require assertive and authoritative leadership.

3. Leadership Influence on My Personality

I have learned several things from his behavior and leadership style. Although, sometimes his
way of taking job irritate me so much, but that has developed several positive features in my
personality and professional career. For example, I have learned that to become successful and a
great leader, I must have good self-awareness, that how I am acting, What I need to say and What
not? I have learned and adopt following characteristics from his leadership style;

 Remain Authentic

Authenticity refers to the act of behaving in a manner that accurately reflects one's own self, as
opposed to attempting to emulate the behaviour of others. Leaders that demonstrate authenticity
exhibit genuine behaviour towards their team members, gradually establishing a sense of reliance
among the team members on the leader's consistent actions (Braun et al., 2018).
For instance, I have learned that when a leader exhibits patience towards their team members,
they are engaging in authentic behaviour, as patience is considered one of the key attributes of
effective leadership. The frequency with which team members observe the leader demonstrating
patience directly influences their subsequent expectations that the leader would consistently
respond with patience regardless of the circumstances. Demonstrating authenticity is a highly
effective strategy for leaders to cultivate trust among their team members. Leaders who
consistently align their words and actions foster an environment where team members are
relieved from the need to speculate or be concerned about the leader's potential reactions
(Chukwusa, 2018). Leaders that consistently communicate in a predictable manner, akin to
authenticity, tend to establish a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. The team develops a
dependence on the leader's consistent behaviour, leading to the establishment of trust and the
alleviation of workplace stress.

 Quick crisis management

I have learned that how one can quickly manage a crisis situation in a better way. It has been
suggested that authoritarian leadership is the most effective during times of extreme stress. In
times of crisis, where autocratic management and choices are necessary to limit the damage,
the democratic style, with its insistence on a lengthy and time-consuming decision-making
process system, is less effective than the autocratic style (Nickerson, 2023).

 To Become a Role Model not follower

We need to become leader and for that we need to remain strict to some extent. Leaders are
subject to continuous observation by their followers, even if they are not aware of it. Team
members observe the leader's reactions to messages or events and emulate their own responses
based on the leader's behaviour. Effective leaders are individuals who possess the cognizance
that they are under scrutiny by their team members, and thus, they establish a model of behaviour
for others to emulate. For instance, when leaders exhibit a supportive response towards
unforeseen changes, it is likely that team members will gradually adopt a similar approach.
  Self-Awareness

Self-awareness and humility are crucial attributes for effective leadership, despite their
inclination towards introspection. The extent to which an individual comprehends their own
identity and acknowledges their personal aptitudes and limitations directly correlates with their
ability to effectively assume a leadership role (Caldwell & Hayes, 2016).

 Fully Present and Attentive

Leaders may encounter challenges in managing their responsibilities due to the multitude of
demands placed upon them simultaneously. The act of being present for team members entails
the leader devoting their complete attention to the verbal and non-verbal communication of team
members, as well as their actions and the tasks at hand (Vroom & Jago, 2007). I have learned
that absent leaders are individuals who exhibit signs of being preoccupied with other matters and
fail to allocate their complete focus to team members. Leaders may encounter challenges in
managing their responsibilities due to the several demands placed upon them simultaneously.
The act of being present for team members entails the leader's whole concentration on the verbal
and non-verbal communication of team members, their actions, and the work at hand. Absent
leaders are characterised by their seeming preoccupation with other matters, resulting in a lack of
undivided attention towards team members.

 Learning Agility
Being able to adapt when we don't have all the answers is a sign of learning agility (Emerick,
2011). We may already be learning agile if we are a "quick learner" or do well in novel
situations. However, with time, effort, and exposure, anyone may develop and improve their own
learning agility. After all, the best leaders are also the best students.

4. Lessons Learned About Leadership

I have learned following lessons from his autocratic kind of leadership style;

 Self-Confidence

His style of leadership has developed self-confidence in me as I passed through several

challenges and he also asked direct questions to us. When leading in an authoritarian fashion, it's
important to exude confidence in order to inspire others to do the same. Confidence is admired
when it is displayed in a conscientious manner (Peker et al., 2018). Overconfidence on the part
of the leader is a warning indicator in numerous situations, including meetings. The lack of
opportunity for debate and the exchange of fresh ideas is unhealthy for the business.

 Accountability

Under an autocratic leader, the outcome of any endeavour is entirely on the leader's shoulders.
Whether results are positive or negative, credit or blame must be given to the leader (Weeks,
2009). More people will trust you if you take responsibility for your conduct.

 Clarity

It is well recognised that the individual occupying the highest position within an organisation,
commonly referred to as the top head, assumes the role of an autocratic leader, hence possessing
the authority to make ultimate decisions on various tasks. I have learned that when are at top
position, we must be clear about our decisions and vision of the firm. Nevertheless, it is
important to note that not all leaders impose limitations on the creative and innovative abilities of
their team members. If such actions are taken, there is an increased likelihood of staff attrition
inside the organisation.

 Responsible

As is commonly understood, autocratic leaders possess the authority to make final decisions, so
assuming responsibility for both achievements and shortcomings (Kalu Dolly & Okpokwasili
Nonyelum, 2018). Consequently, individuals bear the burden of accountability, critique, and
recognition for the results of any given undertaking. While an effective team leader would
appropriately acknowledge the contributions of their team members, there may also be situations
in which their efforts are not duly recognised. The presence of trust can hinge upon this
particular factor.

 Structured

When undertaking a task, authoritarian leaders typically adhere to a rigid framework. This also
says a lot about the atmosphere and culture of the organisation. Workplaces under autocratic
leaders are notorious for their rigidity and lack of room for improvisation.
  Motivation

An authoritarian leader's motivation stems from his status as the organization's single decision-
maker. This means the leader in charge is totally accountable for any good or bad that comes as a
result of the choice (De Cremer, 2006). Since the decisions and tasks now feel more personal to
him, he is more likely to give them his all.

5. Was He an Inspirational Leader?

If I think about that time, he was not inspirational at all. But, due to his way of leading and
supervising, several positive features developed in my personality that are affecting positively in
my personal and professional life, like I have developed a quality of taking quick decisions,
completing tasks quickly without wasting time, always focused on current job, and follow the
schedules. The mentioned management style exhibits potential benefits in a dynamic work
setting characterised by the necessity for prompt decision-making in relation to daily work
responsibilities. Autocratic managers are inclined to inspire staff by instilling trust in their
capacity to make precise and effective decisions. The team will possess a distinct understanding
of the anticipated outcomes and the trajectory of their project and organisation. In essence, there
will be no ambiguity regarding the strategic trajectory of a corporation or the precise task at hand
for individuals. The company's objective will be effectively communicated to all personnel. The
authoritarian leadership style disregards alternative perspectives, hence promoting a more
focused organisational vision. Employees that frequently challenge the decisions made by their
superiors tend to have shorter tenures inside the organisation. Furthermore, it is worth noting that
several scholars characterise the authoritarian leadership style as exemplified by an individual
who exhibits a propensity for undertaking audacious ventures and questioning the prevailing
norms and conventions. Moreover, those who persistently adhere to a specific course of action,
irrespective of the obstacles encountered, are inclined to adopt a more authoritative perspective
on leadership. Individuals who possess long-term aspirations and ambitious visions often
gravitate towards assuming an authoritarian leadership role.
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