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Choosing the type of rule you want to have in your business can be a tough one. Do you want to have an aristocratic type of organizational structure in your organization? Are you ready to bestow responsibility only on a select group of people? And leave others who are capable but not in your so-called league of people?
Or are you ready for meritocratic type of leadership? Where the ship is steered by the most deserving? Which one sounds better?
Research has suggested that many people would want a meritocratic type of leadership. But they fear that things in the organization might change drastically. We have seen many family run companies, inducting their family members on the board. Later on they become senior members, before holding the reigns. Which means that aristocracy is very much alive as much as meritocracy.
Employees in certain companies would rather have the leadership maintain an aristocratic set-up. Getting into meritocracy might mean unhealthy competition within the organization for plum roles. But when the leadership is purely aristocratic employees feel that they know what to expect.
There are more theories and perceptions on the two kinds of leadership and governance in organizations. While aristocracy is seen as regressive sometimes, meritocracy is seen as accountable and aggressive. While aristocracy is seen as dependable, meritocracy is seen as performance-oriented and a non-friendly machinated approach to people.
New-age industry pundits feel that the future of organizational structure belongs to meritocracy. With rising expectations of people in terms of innovation, only the rainmakers will hold the reigns.
