Leadership Techniques: How should the leader deal with the situation?

The leader of your client organization has observed a lack of flexibility and a slow decision-making process in many of the departments. He believes that he is not serving his customers well, and has decided to move to a team environment and to push many of the decisions to the lowest possible levels. In other words, he wants to create a team-based, empowered organization. Several of his best managers are resisting the idea strongly. They not only feel that many employees are not ready for the change, but they also believe that they personally could never change from a "command and control" style to allowing more participation.

1) How should the leader deal with the situation?

2) What arguments can he use to persuade his managers?

3) What can he do to help his managers change their style?

4) What are the implications of his actions and decisions?