1. Explain what is meant by participative leadership and identify three situations in which participative leadership should be used to improve employee relations. This particular style is placed at the center of the five common methods of leadership within the realm of autocratic, paternalistic, delegative and free (or liaison faire) leadership styles. The U.S. Army has only codified the three leadership styles in its basic doctrine-directed, participatory, and delegative leadership. This is because soldiers are often assumed to be trained to levels of proficiency that do not require an autocratic style and at the same time impractical to allow soldiers to act in a free reign style. The leader using participation as a concept is that the idyllic management technique is one that receives input from the collective members of the team into consideration. This technique involves the leader including one or more soldiers in the military decision making process (MDMP) determining what to do and how to do it. These leaders encourage the participation and contributions of group (team) members and help them feel more relevant and engaged in the decision-making process. In participatory concepts, however, the leader retains the right to allow others to contribute. To produce favorable results, leadership that uses group supervision more than direct supervision on an individual basis employs a participatory style with a team of Soldiers who know their duties and responsibilities. Involved leadership includes managing team meetings, influencing commitment and compliance, and assisting with conflicts and communication issues. The benefit of this leadership method is that you demonstrate trust in your subordinates by showing that you are interested in their contribution. You value their ideas and decisions and if time is not an issue; ideas can be discussed freely and shared collectively in a group. This is standard operating procedure when you have limited data and your soldiers have other parts. Soldiers of the unit leadership. Using this style is mutually beneficial as it encourages them to become member problem solvers and make better choices. This is normally used when you have part of the information and your Soldiers have other parts. Unit leadership is not expected to know everything - that's why you employ experienced, trained Soldiers. Using this technique has a dual benefit as it allows them to become part of the team and make better decisions. This is the means of getting Soldiers to do what you want them to do.