In the last few years, a lot of research and studies have been carried by business and management experts regarding what is the best leadership styles. In this regard, emphasis has been laid on effective models and channels of communication, emotional intelligence and the role of empathy in leadership.
One specific style that has been discussed and showcased as a winner has been the democratic leadership style. The democratic style has also been referred to as a participative or shared leadership model of functioning or operating. It involves a more engaged and collective model that takes into account the insights and opinions of different members on the team.
Many leading studies and research have categorically pointed out how the democratic style of leadership is one of the most effective types. The study has also shown the organizations that are run with this style of leadership are more efficient and experience higher productivity. In this article, we are going to look at the major benefits of the democratic leadership style.
Democratic Leadership Style: Meaning and Definition
Firstly, let us begin by pointing out that there are several forms of leadership style that dominates the discourse in business organizations-
- Charismatic Leadership
- Autocratic Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Coaching Leadership
- Democratic Leadership
As the word goes, democratic leadership is the exact opposite of autocratic leadership. In very simple words, a democratic leadership style implies the involvement of team members and employees in the decision-making process.
It is a participative model of working that takes into account the insights, inputs and ideas of everyone working on the project or vertical. It is true that CEOs or heads have the final say in the decision. However, the process by which the decision is reached is collaborative in nature.
John Gastil’s definition on the democratic style of leadership is perhaps the most accepted one that we have-
“Distributing responsibility among the membership, empowering group members, and aiding the group’s decision-making process.”
Major Benefits of Democratic Leadership Style
In this section, we are going to list down some of the major benefits of democratic leadership style in business organizations-
- Access to better and diverse ideas and insights-
When you encourage real professionals that are working at the ground level to participate in decision-making, you are giving them a space to share important insights and inputs drawn from their experience. Even the best CEO might not have access to knowledge that a field worker typically has. This helps in creating better and more informed decisions on the topic.
- Improves the morale and job satisfaction of the team-
When you give someone a say in decisions that impact them directly and indirectly, you are empowering them. This leads to a core reason why people want to work- Job Satisfaction. Team members feel an important part of the process when they are being involved in decision-making proceedings. This boosts morale and allows them to take responsibility.
- Boosts commitment levels and responsibility-
If a team members’ insights have played an influential role in the decision, then you can place the onus on execution on the professional. In other words, you are not only empowering them, but giving them a stake to become more responsible and committed towards building success and growth for the team, as well as the entire organization.
- Generates trust and competence in the leader-
Teams and organizations that have a democratic style of leadership trust their business leaders more. When you have a democratic style of functioning, you are automatically leveraging effective communication. This helps in building trust between the teams and the leaders, as well as portray the leader as more secure and competent in leading teams and the business.
- Enhances knowledge sharing and better communication-
Imagine every brainstorming session that you have been a part of. Now think of how productive each one of those sessions would have been if everyone on the team contributed to the discussion. When a leader opens the doors for transparent communication, everyone is emboldened to come forward and share their knowledge. This boosts productivity in teams.
The Final Word
If you are part of a business organization where your team is ambitious and eager to contribute, then this leadership style works best for you. Make sure that you check out all the points that have been mentioned in the article. If you have any doubts that require clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to us in the comments below.
