Read the following passage and answer the question.
Mr. Sunil Diali is a safety officer in ECL, a public sector company. He supervises the workers towards the predetermined goals of the organisation and directs them on how to remove unsafe practices such as flooding, fire and the build-up of inflammable gases in the mines. Once, a huge fire broke out in an underground mine, and the workers lost their morale because of the many risks. Mr. Diali studied the whole situation. He consulted all his workers and decided the safety measures together with them. He constantly monitored, guided and inspired them to work together, to accept the situation as a challenge and to take proper safety measures to put out the fire and reduce its effects. As a result, production was outstanding and the mine performed better than the other units. Mr. Diali received a Bravery Award from CIL.
Which style of leadership did Mr. Diali show while deciding the safety measures after the fire, and why?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Democratic, as action plans were developed with the participation of the subordinates
Option (1) Laissez-faire, as the workers were supplied the information needed to complete the task — Incorrect. A laissez-faire leader leaves the group to work on its own and only supplies information. Mr. Diali decided with the workers and kept guiding them.
Option (2) Autocratic, as he heard the workers but took the final decision himself — Incorrect. Some autocratic leaders do listen to everyone, but the decision stays their own. Mr. Diali decided the safety measures together with the workers, so the decision was shared.
Option (3) Democratic, as action plans were developed with the participation of the subordinates — Correct. A democratic leader develops action plans and makes decisions in consultation with subordinates. Mr. Diali consulted all his workers and decided the safety measures together with them.
Option (4) Autocratic, as he directed the workers on removing unsafe practices — Incorrect. Showing workers how to remove unsafe practices is supervision. The safety decision after the fire was made jointly, which an autocratic leader does not do.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(ii) 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. They also need to respect the other’s opinion and support subordinates to perform their duties and accomplish organisational objectives. They exercise more control by using forces within the group. |