Which leadership style emphasizes participative decision-making and sharing authority with subordinates?

Which leadership style emphasizes participative decision-making and sharing authority with subordinates?

• A. Autocratic leadership
• B. Democratic leadership
• C. Laissez-faire leadership
• D. Charismatic leadership

Answer: (B)

Leadership styles vary in how they involve others in decision-making. Democratic leadership emphasizes participative decision-making and sharing authority with subordinates. In this style, the leader seeks input from team members, discusses options, and works toward decisions that are made collectively. The leader acts as a facilitator rather than a sole decider, which tends to boost buy-in, motivation, and collaboration. A potential drawback is that decisions can take longer due to the need to gather input from many people. Autocratic leadership centralizes power and makes decisions without seeking subordinates’ input. Laissez-faire leadership is more hands-off, giving subordinates wide latitude to decide with little direction. Charismatic leadership relies on the leader’s personal charm and vision to influence others, rather than distributing authority or encouraging broad participation in decision-making.

Leadership styles vary in how they involve others in decision-making. Democratic leadership emphasizes participative decision-making and sharing authority with subordinates. In this style, the leader seeks input from team members, discusses options, and works toward decisions that are made collectively. The leader acts as a facilitator rather than a sole decider, which tends to boost buy-in, motivation, and collaboration. A potential drawback is that decisions can take longer due to the need to gather input from many people.

Autocratic leadership centralizes power and makes decisions without seeking subordinates’ input. Laissez-faire leadership is more hands-off, giving subordinates wide latitude to decide with little direction. Charismatic leadership relies on the leader’s personal charm and vision to influence others, rather than distributing authority or encouraging broad participation in decision-making.