Final answer:
The term 'Self-Organizing Team' refers to a cross-functional team where individuals switch leadership roles as needed. Such teams are vital in agile methodologies and align with democratic leadership styles, promoting shared decision-making and collaboration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes a cross-functional team in which individuals can fluidly assume leadership roles as needed to achieve the team's objectives is B) Self-Organizing Team. These teams are characterized by a shared sense of purpose and the ability to self-manage. Members of self-organizing teams collaborate, distribute tasks among themselves based on skill and necessity, and adapt their roles to the changing needs of the team and project. This contrasts with more hierarchical teams where leadership and tasks are decided upon by management or structured according to a rigid plan.
Self-organizing teams are a critical component of agile methodologies, which are often used in software development and other industries that value rapid iteration and flexibility. These teams have the autonomy to make decisions on how to best reach their objectives, which can lead to increased efficiency, creativity, and worker satisfaction.
The ability of team members to assume leadership roles as needed is in line with the democratic leadership style, where decision-making is shared within the group, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and collaboration. This approach contrasts with authoritarian leadership, where decisions flow from the top down.