Democratic Leadership People example essay topic

The policies of democracy in practice may not be all that they claim to be but they have done more good than any other organizational system that has been tried before. Democratic leadership certainly has more advantages than disadvantages. It is important to understand the term 'Democratic Leadership' before we can talk about its advantages and disadvantages. In simple terms democratic leadership means 'a leadership style based on the principles of democracy'. Under democratic leadership people enjoy high degree of freedom, but at the same time they are made aware of their responsibilities and in most situations they raise to the occasion. In words of General Omar N. Bradley, "Leadership in a democratic Army means firmness, not harshness; understanding, not weakness; justice, not license; humanness, not intolerance; generosity, not selfishness; pride, not egotism".

Leadership is an elusive concept. Like many complex ideas, it is deceptively easy to use in everyday conversation. We may say that someone is a great leader or used great leadership in a particular situation, and others seem to understand what we mean. Nevertheless, it has proved very difficult to arrive at a precise and agreed definition of leadership.

Indeed, Bass B.M. (1990) suggests that there are almost as many definitions of leadership as there are persons who have attempted to define the concept. But most definitions include the notion that leadership involves influence in one form or another (Yuk l G., 1994). Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you do a job. That takes all of the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of purpose, selfness, knowledge, skill, implacability, as well as determination not to accept failure (Admiral Ar leigh A. Burke, 1987). The very idea of leadership presupposes the existence of followers.

The activity of leadership cannot be carried out without followers to lead, and what leaders do is to influence the behavior, beliefs and feelings of other group members in an intended direction (Wright and Taylor 1994). Democratic leader invites people to share in decisions, policy and operations of an organization. This helps him get information from various angles by which he can effectively take a decision. Furthermore when people share their views while formulating a policy they will support it. A democratic leader is a good listener and will delegate authority and use expert and referent power to influence people. A typical democratic leader believes that people work as naturally as they play, and are creative problem solvers who like to take charge of their own work.

The work is not forced upon them instead the leader tries to make them realize their responsibility by which they work with added commitment and personal interest. This not only increases productivity but also helps maintain a healthy relation between the leader and the followers.