Situational Leadership is a leadership theory developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. It emphasises that there’s no single best leadership style. Instead, effective leadership is based on adapting your style to the readiness and development level of the individuals or team you’re leading.
There is a core principle that leaders must adjust their leadership style based on two factors: firstly, the task in hand, and secondly, the maturity (readiness/competence and commitment) of the followers…which group of individuals, and in what situation?
We then need to look at four distinct leadership styles, which are based on how much directive (task) and supportive (relationship) behaviour a leader uses.
- Think “directing”…the leader is high directive and is used when the follower is new or inexperienced (needs clear instruction).
- We then have “coaching”, and the leader starts to act in a more support style. This happens when the follower has some competence but lacks confidence or perhaps motivation.
- Next comes “supporting”, which means the leader can be less directive and when the follower is capable but needs encouragement or more involvement.
- Finally “delegating”…little direction or support needed. The follower is both competent and committed.
Hersey and Blanchard identified four levels of follower readiness (also known as development levels), in creating the model.
- Low competence but high commitment
- Some competence but low commitment
- High competence, variable commitment
- High competence with high commitment
The goal is to match the leadership style mentioned earlier to the follower’s development level above.
Lets consider these examples.
Lets consider these examples.
- A new employee needs a directing style: clear instructions, close supervision.
- An employee who’s learning but struggling needs coaching: guidance and encouragement.
- A skilled but unsure employee needs supporting: autonomy and emotional support.
- A seasoned expert thrives under delegating: minimal supervision.
What then are the benefits of all this? Think of the flexibility of leadership, helping develop team members’ skills and confidence. It enhances motivation and performance while being applicable across industries and team structures.
Are you getting the most from “Situational Leadership”?
“Leadership is not something you do to people.
It’s something you do with people”
Ken Blanchard
It’s something you do with people”
Ken Blanchard
