Democratic leadership, also known as participative leadership, is a management style where decision-making is shared among team members rather than centralized in a single leader. It emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and the active participation of group members in the decision process

. Key characteristics of democratic leadership include:

• Distribution of responsibility: Leaders distribute authority and tasks among group members to involve them in decision-making

• Empowerment: Leaders empower team members by providing the necessary training and support to take on responsibilities and make informed decisions

• Facilitation of decision-making: Democratic leaders act as facilitators or mediators, guiding group discussions to ensure productive deliberation and a respectful environment

• Encouragement of creativity and innovation: This style fosters an open exchange of ideas, rewarding creativity and diverse opinions

• Transparency and trust: Leaders maintain openness about decisions and encourage feedback, which builds trust within the team

This leadership style leads to higher productivity, better contributions from members, increased morale, and a collaborative work environment. It is widely used in various contexts, including businesses, schools, and governments, with examples such as the United States and companies like Google adopting democratic leadership principles

. In summary, democratic leadership is about running an organization "by the people," involving team members in decisions, empowering them, and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect