What Is Democratic Leadership Style ?
A management system where subordinates are encouraged to take part in the decision making process is called democratic leadership style. Leaders allow the employees to give their views, ideas, suggestions and opinions while making decisions. This leadership brings specialization and promotes sense of team spirit in the workplace.
Benefits Or Advantages Of Democratic Leadership
The main advantages of democratic leadership style can be pointed out as follows:
1. Ensures Sound Decision
Ideas, suggestions and opinions of the members are considered as valuable inputs in decision making process. In democratic leadership, employees provide their suggestions and views to the leader which help to make better decision. Sound decisions help to solve complex problems.
2. Better Communication
Another advantage of democratic leadership is that it promotes open communication system in the organization. Because of two way communication, subordinates can share their feelings and thoughts freely with the leader and other members. It helps to build trust and sense of harmony in the organization.
3. Proper Utilization Of Human Resource
Employees can explore their capabilities because of the participative management. Management uses their skills and abilities properly to bring better results. Therefore, democratic leadership style ensures better utilization of employees' talents and skills which helps to improve their efficiency.
4. Increased Employee Motivation And Morale
Employees' contribution is respected in this management system. Their skills and abilities are highly appreciated. Subordinates feel valued when they are encouraged to take part in decision making process. Therefore, democratic leadership helps to increase motivation of the employees which lead to increase in morale and job satisfaction.
5. Higher productivity And Profitability
Democratic leadership style promotes specialization in the workstation. It helps to utilize available resources more effectively which increases the efficiency in the workplace. Increased efficiency leads to increase in the productivity and profitability of the firm.
This management system can be exercised in any business. It is suitable for both small and big organizations. It is more suitable where employees are competent and skillful.
7. Better Working Environment
Because of two way communication, sense of cooperation, motivation and participation, it creates better working environment in the organization. Good environment helps to increase performance that improves the quality of output.
Drawbacks Or Disadvantages Of Democratic Leadership
The main disadvantages of democratic leadership can be pointed out as follows:
1. Slow Decisions
One of the main drawbacks of democratic leadership is lengthy decision making process. Opinions and suggestions of all members should be considered while making decisions which is not suitable at the time of emergencies and crisis when quick response is required.
Also Read:
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Laissez Faire Leadership
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Autocratic Leadership
Difference Between Autocratic And Democratic Leadership
2. Not Applicable
It is suitable when employees are highly qualified, competent and self-motivated. It is not applicable if subordinates are incompetent and less experienced.
3. Lacks Secrecy
In democratic leadership, official matters are shared with the subordinates. So, confidential and internal organizational matters can be leaked by some employees. So, it lacks secrecy and privacy.
4. Difficult To Control
In this system, employees are treated like friends, in this situation it will be difficult for the managers to control them. It becomes complicated to maintain proper discipline in the organization.
Pros And Cons Of Democratic Leadership In Short
Pros:
- It facilitates participative decision making in the organization
- Open communication helps to make better superior subordinate relationship
- Because of specialization productivity and profitability can be improved
- It improves employee motivation which helps to decrease staff turnover
- This system can be applied in almost all types of firms
- It is useful for career development
- Subordinates' skills and talents are properly utilized
Cons:
- It is not suitable if subordinates are incompetent or unskilled
- long decision making process is not suitable at the time of crises
- It is difficult to maintain secrecy
- Leaders face difficulties to maintain better discipline
- It may lack responsibility and accountability
