Which component of leadership involves encouraging collaboration among team members?

The component of leadership that involves encouraging collaboration among team members is relationship-oriented behavior. This approach focuses on building strong interpersonal connections and fostering a supportive environment within the team. Leaders who exhibit relationship-oriented behavior prioritize the needs and concerns of their team members, which in turn cultivates trust, open communication, and a sense of belonging.

In this context, relationship-oriented leaders recognize the value of collaboration and actively promote teamwork by facilitating discussions, encouraging participation, and valuing each member's contributions. This emphasis on collaboration helps create a cohesive team that works effectively towards common goals, leveraging the diverse skills and perspectives of all its members.

Transformational behavior, while also important in inspiring and motivating team members, focuses more on driving change and vision rather than specifically on collaboration. Transactional behavior is centered around exchanges and rewards based on performance, which does not inherently foster a collaborative spirit. Autocratic leadership tends to direct and control rather than encourage collaboration, often leading to reduced input and teamwork among members. Hence, relationship-oriented behavior is the most accurate answer when it comes to promoting collaboration in a team setting.