Is democratic leadership more effective than directive?

It depends on the culture of the organization. When you’re just starting and you’re the only one who truly knows what you’re doing and where you’re going, you need to be directive to the other members. Telling them what to do by showing them, and asking superior result. It’s useless to be democratic with members who are not on board with your goals yet.

In time, when “me” and “you” become “we”, and all members of the organization doesn’t need to be told what to do, a leader can switch slowly to democratic leadership. Considering now they are more experienced and ready, a leader can start delegating chores and responsibilities, and asking for suggestions to make the organization better and more efficient. Becoming a directive leader is much more tiresome than democratic, because all problems need your answers, which will not be good for a long time. When you practice directive leadership, it could lead to dictatorship, which is not good culture for an organization. Therefore, a leader should plan a way to make the organization toward democratic ambiance.