Which leadership style may suit ABC's research team?

• A. Autocratic leadership style may suit the research team.
• B. Laissez-faire leadership style may suit the research team.
• C. Democratic leadership style may suit the research team because it encourages creativity, discussion, and idea-sharing.
• D. Transactional leadership style may suit the research team.

Answer: (C)

A research team thrives on creativity, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. A democratic leadership approach invites team members to contribute to decisions, fosters open discussion, and allows ideas to be debated and refined. This environment supports innovation and a sense of ownership in the work, which is crucial when exploring new hypotheses or methods. In contrast, autocratic leadership can suppress input and slow down creativity; laissez-faire can leave projects without necessary coordination; transactional leadership may prioritize short-term targets over novel exploration. So, a democratic style best fits a research team because it encourages creativity, discussion, and idea-sharing that drive research progress.