Is There a Trade-Off Between a Dictator and a Lieutenant?

i wanted to start by asking just some generalized questions about dictatorships and the dynamics which operate. It would seem to me, or at least on the surface, it's plausible, that for a dictator, the path remaining in power is by essentially implementing effective governmance and state capacity building. So if that was the case, i would need to have competent and capable deputies to help me run it. Your answer will be, not necessarily. But i wanted to ask you, is that the right way to think about how a dictator might remain in power? And if not, what's a better story?