DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIPS STYLE

“I ask everyone’s opinion when they don’t speak up. And then, when they have an
opinion, I’ll ask others to talk about it.”
-Ginny Rometty-
WHAT IS DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP?

• Democratic leadership, also known as

participative leadership, is a type of leadership
style in which members of the group take a more
participative role in the decision-making process.

• Everyone is given the opportunity to participate,

ideas are exchanged freely
CHARACTERISTICS :

• It involves taking all opinions into consideration, making a

decision based on others’ input and sharing out the
responsibility equally.
• Discussion is encouraged
• A democratic leader is able to collect all ideas put forward in
open group discussion and effectively delegate tasks to the
people who best fit the role.
• A democratic leader will have trusting followers, or has the
ability to gain followers, who respect and admire him/her.
PROS AND CONS OF DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP
PROS CONS

• Can bring better morale of workers • It can be a delay-decision making

because more people are involved in the
• Gives job satisfaction as employees are process
able to express their views and have
some input into decision-making. • This style is not suitable when dealing
with large workforce (communication
• Sharing of ideas can lead to an improved, will be severely effective)
better decision
• It will be effective if the leader cannot
always be present to ensure that
employees remain on task
 CASE IN POINT: APPLE
• Apple was a successful company from 1976 to 1985, before it almost failed in the mid-1990s. Then it
became enormously successful again — precisely because it faltered.
• In other words, Apple had a vision. Apple lost its vision. Apple regained its vision.
• That’s rare.
• In the mid-1990s Gateway, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and other companies reportedly zeroed in on
Apple as an acquisition target. Years later, many of those brands disappeared. Yet Apple survived.
• Apple survived because Steve Jobs learned how to adapt. He became a democratic/participative
leader. Jobs started out as a charismatic/laissez-faire leader, and Apple soared. Then he became an
autocratic leader, and Apple’s board of directors requested his resignation.
• When he returned to Apple more than 10 years later, Jobs combined several leadership styles and
added democratic/participative to his repertoire. He hired other experienced leaders and entrusted
them to excel. Jobs encouraged his lead designer Jonathon Ive, and he mentored manufacturing
expert Tim Cook, now CEO. He let them make key decisions.
• That’s why Apple survived.
WORKS CITED
• IBID Business Management textbook
• http://www.ehow.com/info_8660426_characteristics-make-up-
democratic-leader.html
• https://www.cleverism.com/democratic-leadership-guide/