A ______ style of leadership works best in building teams because of its cooperative emphasis.

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

Answer: (A)

Democratic leadership emphasizes participation, shared decision-making, and collaboration. In a team, this approach invites members to contribute ideas, discuss options, and reach consensus. That involvement helps people feel valued, increases their commitment to the group's goals, and builds trust and cohesion—key elements for a strong, cooperative team. The leader serves as a facilitator, guiding discussion, clarifying objectives, and ensuring everyone’s perspective is heard, which helps align diverse strengths toward common outcomes.

Autocratic or authoritarian styles centralize control and rely on the leader’s decisions with little input from others, which can erode ownership and teamwork. Laissez-faire is hands-off, offering broad freedom but often leading to ambiguity and poor coordination without adequate accountability.