Read the following passage and answer questions.

Aarav is a production manager in a company. He is always instructing, guiding, motivating and leading people in the organisation to achieve its objectives, He always stimulates his subordinates to take up work voluntarily to achieve organisational goals. He always develops action plans and made decision consultation with his subordinates. He usually follows official channels for communication as designed in the organisation chart. He also uses informal communication in times of urgency.

What type of leader Aarav is?

Democratic leader

The correct answer is option (4)- Democratic leader.

Aarav appears to be a Democratic leader.

He develops action plans and makes decisions in consultation with his subordinates, which is a characteristic of democratic leadership. Democratic leaders involve their team members in decision-making, encourage participation, and value their input. Aarav also motivates and guides his team to voluntarily take up work, further emphasizing a leadership style that fosters collaboration and teamwork.

Democratic or Participative leader- A democratic leader will develop action plans and makes decisions in consultation with his subordinates. He will encourage them to participate in decision-making. This kind of leadership style is more common now-a-days, since leaders also recognise that people perform best if they have set their own objectives.

OTHER OPTIONS

• An autocratic/Authoritarian leader gives orders and expects his subordinates to obey those orders. If a manager is following this style, then communication is only one-way with the subordinate only acting according to the command given by the manager. This leader is dogmatic, i.e., does not change or wish to be contradicted. His following is based on the assumption that reward or punishment both can be given depending upon the result. This leadership style is effective in getting productivity in many situations like in a factory where the supervisor is responsible for production on time and has to ensure labour productivity. Quick decision-making is also facilitated. But there are variations also, they may listen to everyone’s opinion, consider subordinates ideas and concerns but the decision will be their own.

• Laissez faire or Free-rein leader- Such a leader does not believe in the use of power unless it is absolutely essential. The followers are given a high degree of independence to formulate their own objectives and ways to achieve them. The group members work on their own tasks resolving issues themselves. The manager is there only to support them and supply them the required information to complete the task assigned. At the same time, the subordinate assumes responsibility for the work to be performed.