How could the project leader have avoided this?

Agile teams are self-organizing and should strive for consensus-based decision making. The PMI Agile Practice Guide (Section 4.3.1 Team Empowerment) supports facilitative leadership where leaders guide decision-making, not override it. Mike Griffiths in the PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book (Chapter 3: Team Performance) emphasizes that leaders should foster collaboration and respect diverse views to prevent disengagement.

Option A is correct: encouraging consensus builds ownership, trust, and engagement.

Option B and C still place control with the leader, reducing team empowerment.

Option D is too passive; agile leaders participate actively as facilitators.