Which practice is most aligned with participative leadership?

• A. The leader makes all decisions alone.
• B. The leader delegates only routine tasks.
• C. The leader includes team members in decision-making and solicits input.
• D. The leader relies solely on formal authority to enforce rules.

Answer: (C)

Participative leadership centers on involving team members in decisions and seeking their input. This practice matches the option describing including team members in decision-making and soliciting input, because it actively engages staff, boosts buy-in, and taps into diverse perspectives to improve solutions. It contrasts with making decisions alone, which is autocratic, and with delegating only routine tasks or relying solely on formal authority, which don’t invite input or shared ownership. In criminal justice settings, this approach helps align policies and procedures with frontline realities and fosters motivation through a sense of involvement and collaboration.