Redirecting Authoritarian Leadership
A Data-Driven Approach to Fulfilling the Motivational Need for Power
Ryan Hopkins
PSY 790: Capstone in Psychology
Dr. Nick Dominello
May 25, 2025
Introduction: The Impact of Leadership
Leadership significantly shapes workplace culture and employee well-being�
Authoritarian leadership is characterized by control, dominance, and power assertion
Authoritarian Leadership (AL)
Low employee morale
Toxic Workplace
Low employee morale
Kelly & MacDonald, 2019
Understanding the Problem
Huang et al., 2020
Image: OpenAI, 2025
Purpose and Key Questions
Can focusing on performance data satisfy an authoritarian leader’s need for power?
Research Question 1
Explore positive ways to redirect authoritarian leadership.
Goal
Does shifting ALs’ focus from direct employee control to performance metrics improve motivation and morale?
Research Question 2
What the Research Shows
Studies suggest that leadership behaviors can be changed through specific programs (Mason et al., 2014).
Leaders can satisfy their need for autonomy through self-regulated actions (van Tuin et al., 2020)
Using data to guide management can help shift leadership styles (McCarthy et al., 2017 ).
AL can be redirected toward more democratic approaches that better support employee well-being (Ufua et al., 2020).
The well-being of employees can be improved under AL (Asim et al., 2021).
Image: Google, 2025
Theoretical Foundation
McClelland’s Motivational Needs Theory | Self- Determination Theory |
|
|
McClelland, 2015
Ryan & Deci, 2000
Image: Google, 2025
Addressing the Research Gaps
Gaps
Hypotheses
Procedure
Intervention
Three phase approach:
Study Design
Quasi-experimental, single group pretest-post-
posttest design
Participants
Single facility in the automotive manufacturing industry
5-10 leaders exhibiting authoritarian behaviors
50-100 employees
Grant & Wall, 2009
Chishty-Mujahid, 2016;
Lakens, 2022
Taylor et al., 2005
Employee Assessment Tools
Authoritarian Leadership | Motivation and Morale |
Autocratic Leadership Behavior Scale
| Vigor and Dedication Scales
|
De Hoogh & Den Hartog, 2009
Mills et al., 2012
Leader Assessment Tools
Motivational Need for Power | Power Need Satisfaction |
Power Management Inventory (PMI)
| Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale (BPNSS)
|
Benson & Owens, 1985
Olafsen et al., 2021
Analysis
Hypothesis Testing
Repeated measures ANOVAs
Descriptive Statistics
Identify outliers
Pearson’s Correlation
Establish a link between AL and personalized power needs
Rosnow & Rosenthal, 2014
Sedgwick, 2012
Smaga, 2021
Anticipated Outcomes
Assumptions | Limitations |
|
|
Grant & Wall, 2009
Dissemination of Findings
Structure
Focus on connecting results to organizational goals for practical use
For Leaders
Reports, presentation, and discussion linking results to power needs and employee outcomes
For Employees
Presentation and discussions highlighting how their feedback informed the results
Holistic
Multiple communication methods for sustainability and engagement
Collaborative
Interactive workshop to foster leader-employer dialogue and action
Rynes et al., 2001
Wilson et al., 2010
Ethical Considerations
APA Compliant | Potential Risks | Mitigation Strategies |
|
|
|
APA, 2017
APA, 2023
Pizzolitto et al., 2023
Key Takeaways
References
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