Lewin's Leadership Styles

Kurt Lewin and a team of researchers came up with the three major leadership styles.   The first style is Authoritarian, which I find is a lot like the parenting style of Authoritarian.  It's often seen as a dictatorship, controlling, and bossy.  As noted in the article researchers found that decisions were less creative under Authoritarian style, which also coincides with the parenting style, they simple say, "because I said so," rather than giving valid reasons for the punishment.  Under this parenting style they are unresponsive to their children much like making decisions by yourself, giving others' opinions no chance under leadership.  Participative or Democratic was the second leadership style, which is basically working together as a team allowing everyone's input.  However, the leader has the last say.  This leadership style is like the Authoritative parenting style, which allows "children to ask questions, be self-regulated as well as cooperative."  Delegative (Laissez-Faire) is the third leadership style, it has little to no guidance to the group, it often leads to a lack of motivation.  This is also much like the Permissive and Uninvolved parenting, there are few demands and little communication.  In extreme cases some parents even reject the needs of their children. 
I compared leadership and parenting because I think being a leader is somewhat like being a parent.  You have to watch over and direct what goes on in an organization.  You need to punish or reward work of employees. 

What do you think is the best leadership style?  Does the situation matter what style you use?  Should leaders focus on group work and involving others in decisions?