Which Likert style is most participative with lots of delegation and frequent communication?

• A. Exploitive Authoritative
• B. Benevolent authoritative & consultative
• C. Participative
• D. Directive

Answer: (C)

Participative leadership is about involving people in decisions and giving them real authority, with two-way, frequent communication to coordinate work. In Likert’s framework, this style (often called System IV) is the most participative because it distributes decision-making and relies on ongoing dialogue with subordinates. The manager delegates substantial ownership of tasks, seeks input, and collaborates on problems, which matches the idea of lots of delegation and regular, open communication.

The other styles are more top-down or limited in involvement: one is highly autocratic with centralized decisions and little delegation; another is paternalistic but still keeps most decisions with the leader, offering some but limited delegation; another does seek input but leaves final decisions with the manager. These don’t emphasize both broad delegation and frequent, open communication to the same extent as the participative approach.