Which leadership style enables managers to involve others in decision making?

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

Answer: (C)

Involving others in decision making is a feature of democratic leadership, where the manager consults with team members, considers their views, and aims for a decision that reflects the group’s input. This approach builds commitment and motivation because people feel their ideas matter, and it can improve decision quality by drawing on diverse perspectives. It is particularly useful when the task benefits from specialist knowledge or when buy-in is essential for implementation. By contrast, autocratic leadership keeps decisions with the manager, limiting input; laissez-faire gives wide freedom but often without a structured process for collective decision-making; paternalistic leadership involves consideration for staff welfare but the leader still makes the final call.