Question

The "Participating" leadership style is all about building a relationship with followers. It ranks high on the relationship skill and low on task guidance. The leader provides some task direction, but seeks a great deal of input from others. Leaders who use this style share their ideas in order to facilitate discussions leading to shared decision making.

Participating leaders provide close support and encouragement to followers, facilitate interaction and discussions, and provide regular guidance and feedback.

REFLECT: Many leaders surveyed feel they emulate this style in most of their interactions with subordinates. What about you?

Answer 1

The Participating leadership style is characterized by high relationship-building and inclusiveness in decision-making, suitable for environments where consensus is valued. Different followers' needs for leadership influence the effectiveness of this style. Leaders must be adaptable and consider the individual growth needs of their followers to maintain a positive relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

Participating Leadership Style

The Participating leadership style emphasizes inclusive decision-making and the building of relationships between the leader and followers. This democratic approach facilitates group participation in all areas of decision-making, where the leader seeks to build consensus before acting. It's commonly seen in settings like clubs, where members have a say in their activities. The Participating leader is supportive, encourages open dialogue, and is keen on feedback, yet this style may slow down the decision-making process and risks entrenchment into opposing factions. In contrast, laissez-faire leadership allows for greater autonomy, useful in scenarios with mature participants, but potentially leading to a lack of direction. The authoritarian style is directive and goal-focused, effective in certain challenging business environments but possibly alienating.

Different followers have varying needs for leadership. Some prefer autonomy and may not respond well to rigid structures, while others function best with clear guidelines and structured environments. Leaders must adapt their style to the needs of their followers to foster positive relationships and enhance the effectiveness of their leadership.

It's important to reflect on one's preferred leadership style and consider how it applies across different areas of one's life, such as the classroom, workplace, or sports teams. Personal growth needs of followers also play a significant role, necessitating leaders to provide opportunities for learning and development while being conscious of their followers' comfort with such growth.