A coaching leader focuses on developing people through guidance and growth, while a democratic leader emphasizes shared decision-making and collective input. A key difference is in who drives the process: coaching centers on the leader as a mentor guiding individual development, whereas democratic leadership centers on the team’s participation in decisions.

• Coaching method difference: The leader acts as a mentor, asks probing questions, provides feedback, and supports ongoing development tailored to each person. This approach prioritizes individual growth, long-term capability, and learning from experience. [source-based context: coaching leadership emphasizes personalized development and guidance]

• Democratic method (for comparison): The leader facilitates participation in decision-making, solicits input from team members, and aims for consensus or broad buy-in before acting. This approach prioritizes shared ownership and collaborative problem-solving. [source-based context: democratic leadership emphasizes participation and collaboration]

Direct answer
One clear difference: coaching leadership centers on the leader as a mentor who develops each team member’s skills and potential through individualized guidance, while democratic leadership centers on the group’s involvement in decisions, leveraging collective input to shape policies and actions.