What is the consultative management style?

The consultative management style is characterized by the involvement of stakeholders with some consultation. This approach recognizes the value of employee input and perspectives while still allowing the manager to retain ultimate decision-making authority. In this style, managers seek opinions and feedback from employees or team members, promoting a culture of openness and collaboration without fully relinquishing control.

This method can enhance employee engagement, as individuals feel their contributions are valued and considered in the decision-making process. By integrating stakeholder insights, managers can make more informed choices that reflect the realities of the workplace, balancing leadership with collaborative input.

In contrast, the other options highlight management styles that lack this collaborative aspect. For instance, zero input from employees would signify an authoritative style, where decisions are made unilaterally by the manager, disregarding team perspectives. Likewise, decisions made solely by the manager also reflect a top-down approach, minimizing collaboration and input. On the other hand, a collaborative decision-making approach implies that all team members have equal say and share equal power in making decisions, which moves beyond the consultative model where the manager retains final authority.