Like the direction/consultation axis, the control/autonomy axis is a continuum. The situation and the people you're dealing with will determine where on the spectrum you choose to place yourself.
Control –––––––––––––––––––––––– Autonomy
Note
Tip
Autonomy is generally better than control. Very few people want or need to be micro-managed (although there are a small number who do).
Again, there are no firm rules as to how to decide how much control is needed in a given situation. The following list has a few suggestions, however.
Consider being more controlling when:
You're managing a well-defined process that needs to be followed exactly and carefully
You have a tight deadline
You're dealing with an employee who is very new, or one who needs to learn how to do the job correctly
You're dealing with an employee who prefers to be managed very closely
You're not sure an employee won't take advantage of autonomy to goof off...