Which leadership style focuses on building consensus through participation?

• A. Autocratic
• B. Democratic
• C. Laissez-faire
• D. Transformational

Answer: (B)

Building consensus through participation is a hallmark of democratic leadership. In this style the leader invites input from team members, encourages discussion, values diverse perspectives, and often makes decisions after group agreement or broad consultation. This approach helps ensure commitment to the plan because people feel heard and own the outcome, which can boost motivation, collaboration, and the quality of decisions since multiple viewpoints are considered.

Autocratic leadership centers on control, with the leader making decisions with little input. Laissez-faire offers broad freedom with minimal direction, which can lead to misalignment without strong guidance. Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and elevating followers toward a shared vision, emphasizing motivation and change rather than the explicit process of building consensus through participative decision-making.