Democratic leadership: Three examples of success to learn from

There are leadership styles that bring success to individuals and the companies they lead. Among those is democratic leadership, a collaborative approach to management that has benefited some of the world’s largest organisations.

• Democratic leadership is a type of leadership favoured by those who appreciate input and feedback from colleagues
• These leaders are inclusive, great communicators and know how to mesh
• Typically, democratic leaders recognise their own limitations and see the value of listening to others with specialist knowledge

So who are the most influential democratic leaders and have they used the exact same approach to achieve success? Hello Leaders highlights some of the most well-known – and lesser-known – people with democratic leadership traits. Even though they’re outside of the aged care industry, you can look to them for insight that may help strengthen your own skills and qualities.

Diplomatic Leadership

Although Tim Cook might not be a household name like his predecessor, Steve Jobs, his position as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer has him among the elite. In many ways, it is a democratic style of management which keeps Mr Cook below the radar compared to his flashier contemporaries.

He’s quiet, observant and very trusting of the team around him; this team approach means he can delegate and rely on other experienced managers and staff to have innovative ideas that will be successful. 

Not only are leaders like Mr Cook democratic, but they’re also diplomatic. Mr Cook famously navigated US President Donald Trump’s tenure with poise despite the two holding many opposite views; Apple at the time was strengthening its production base in China while President Trump called for more local manufacturing. Through strong communication skills and more than a touch of patience, democratic leaders offer stability at all times.

A focus on the end result is a guiding principle for many democratic leaders and they rarely get sidetracked. So even though Mr Cook is on the more conservative side of democratic leadership – has been labelled shrewd and boring – he doubled Apple’s revenue and profit. The success speaks for itself.

Democratic Leadership

Muhtar Kent was at the helm of Coca-Cola for a decade as Chairman and CEO, having achieved what some might label a rags-to-riches story. He started out as a touring salesperson for Coca-Cola in Turkey in 1978, before rising up the ranks over the next three decades. Mr Kent recognised the importance of change; when he stepped down from his position in 2017, he cited the rise of the youth consumer and an ageing global population as a need for a fresh approach to the iconic brand.

Democratic leaders like Mr Kent value relationship-building, diversity and inclusiveness. They understand why teamwork is needed for overall success; different viewpoints challenge the status-quo and new ideas will be formed.

One clear example was a focus on global recruiting. It brought widespread knowledge to Coca-Cola as it recruited to suit its global audience. There is no insular thinking for democratic leaders who know how to get the best out of everyone around them.

In addition to being a collaborative leader, Mr Kent prioritised entrepreneurship. He was quoted saying he liked to be “constructively discontent”, meaning he wanted employees to think like owners, constantly chasing innovation and better ways of completing tasks. While constant change isn’t right for every industry, innovative thinking always is, and Mr Kent’s focus is something leaders can still learn from today.

Collaborative Leadership

For those looking to follow in the footsteps of a democratic leader, you may choose to prioritise teamwork and active participation. This means you are involved in final decisions but don’t have to make every decision along the way. A collaborative approach gives you the opportunity to learn from others.

A former TV executive turned media mogul, Ms Laybourne was well-known for her collaborative approach to leadership, a key trait of democratic leaders. Her tenure at Nickelodeon was arguably the most successful for the children’s network; iconic cartoons such as Rugrats, The Ren & Stimpy Show and Rocko’s Modern Life were developed in the early 1990s, paving the way for decades of success.

As Nickelodeon itself expanded, Ms Laybourne recognised where expertise from colleagues was essential. Despite holding the position of President, she allowed producers to make critical decisions regarding programming. Successful delegation allowed others the chance to shine in high-pressure situations, although it was her decision-making that was key. 

Democratic leaders must also be willing to listen to their target audience. For Ms Laybourne, this meant listening to children and providing programming they responded to. For you, it’s connecting with aged care consumers. Listen to their feedback and make change, because democracy isn’t just about your peers, it’s about everyone. Collaboration and teamwork will help strengthen your knowledge and benefit the organisation through talent retention and skill maximisation.