Participative leadership is unique because it solicits the input of team members as part of the decision making process. Participative leaders actively seek out their team’s ideas and perspectives on issues ranging from improving processes to addressing front-line problems.
In order to be effective, participative leaders must be focused on others, great listeners, flexible, empathetic, and real. They also need an inclusive mindset and a willingness to share their influence.
Participative leadership is a tangible way for leaders to support their team members. It shows team members that they have a stake in the team and the organization. By creating an environment of respect and trust, participative leadership can give team members the confidence to risk sharing their ideas.
Not surprisingly, research has shown that participative leadership tends to increase a team member’s engagement, performance, job satisfaction, and even their tenure at a company. Under participative leadership, team members tend to be more helpful, open to change, and innovative.
However, participative leadership is not ideal in every situation. Some critical, urgent situations require leaders to step up and act before they have time to get everyone’s opinion. (In cases like these, a leader can still get everyone’s input during a debrief after the situation). Participative leadership also doesn’t work where “all the tasks are urgent” because there simply isn’t time to get everyone’s input on every task.
In participative leadership, there is always the likelihood of increased conflict when multiple people are giving their opinions. Although not all conflict is bad, poorly managed conflict can spiral into bickering and personal disputes, creating divisions within the team.
Even though it doesn’t work in every circumstance, a participative leadership style works well in organizations that value team member growth and development. It is an especially valuable tool for work that requires a variety of skill sets and knowledge.
Chew on This:
What is one decision you need to make that could benefit from the input of other people on your team?