Leaders who listen to their employees' opinions but make the final decisions are categorized as:

Leaders who listen to their employees' opinions and feedback before making final decisions embody the characteristics of democratic leadership. This leadership style emphasizes collaboration and open communication, allowing team members to express their thoughts and ideas. While the leader retains the authority to make the final decision, their approach promotes a sense of belonging and engagement among employees. This can enhance morale and foster a more inclusive work environment, leading to better decision-making informed by diverse perspectives.

In contrast, laissez-faire leaders tend to take a hands-off approach, allowing employees significant freedom to make their own decisions with minimal intervention. Autocratic leaders make decisions unilaterally, without soliciting input from others, which can lead to a lack of employee involvement and may stifle creativity. Transactional leaders focus primarily on structured tasks and performance, often exchanging rewards for compliance rather than fostering an environment where input is valued. Therefore, the essence of democratic leadership lies in valuing employee input while maintaining decision-making authority, which distinguishes it from the other leadership styles mentioned.