Democratic Leadership style

• Is also known as participative leadership
• Under this style the members of the team contribute to the decision making process
• The leader asks for contribution from team members during the process of making decisions
• The leader then makes the final decision
• This style is consultative in nature as the leader makes the final decision which may or may not take the contributions by team members into account
• There is two way communication

Advantages

• Is suitable for complex tasks
• Is suitable where the subordinates are skilled and experienced
• It motivates the workers as they become more involved in the decision making
• Fosters creativity
• Enhances personal commitment
• Empowers the group/team members
• Higher quality decisions

Disadvantages

• There is delayed decision making
• Leads to compromise which might not be ideal in certain situations
• Sometimes there is ambiguity and no clear chain of command
• Management might lose control especially if a group has charismatic members and the designated manager is weak
• Not suitable in situations where the subordinates lack skill/expertise to make decisions

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