What is Situational leadership?

Situational leadership is a strategic methodology that leaders use to develop people. The theory itself works on the assumption that a leader will adapt to their style based upon the needs of a given situation. ("Situational Theories of Leadership | Principles of Management," n.d.) The current version of this theory is based upon work done by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. The theory has four focal leadership styles: Telling, the leaders decides and the workers do. Selling, the leader is still in charge, but creates and motivates buy-in from team members. Participative, the leader works with the team to make decisions. Delegation, the leader assigns decision-making authority to members of the team. ("What is Situational Leadership? How Flexibility Leads to Success," 2014) The four styles are paired with the maturity level of the team members as follows: (Maturity levels and leadership styles, n.d.) Per the work done by Hersey and Blanchard (as cited by "Situational Theories of Leadership | Principles of Management," n.d.), the maturation levels are matched to the leadership method which best motivates the employees or followers. Telling is best suited for followers who have a low competence and commitment. Selling is best suited for followers with a low competence, but high commitment. Participating works best for followers with high competence, but low confidence or commitment. In addition, delegating works with those followers who demonstrate high competence and commitment. ("What is Situational Leadership? How Flexibility Leads to Success," 2014) Example of Situational Leadership An example of the telling leadership style, which I have witnessed, was observing a first-responder direct a group of people in evacuation procedures during a natural disaster. The group was not sure of what to do in rapid rising water, which was a life-threatening situation. The first-responder quickly realized this dynamic and made the needed decisions to ensure the group’s safety. In this particular situation, the telling style was matched to a situation with followers who had possessed low competence with figuring out a solution to the conditions at hand. The style proved to be leveraged and applied in an appropriate manner, as everyone who followed directions was led to safety and out of danger. References Maturity levels and leadership styles [matrix]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-principlesmanagement/chapter/situational-theories-of-leadership/. Situational Theories of Leadership | Principles of Management. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-principlesmanagement/chapter/situational-theories-of-leadership/. What is Situational Leadership? How Flexibility Leads to Success. (2014, November 25). Retrieved from https://online.stu.edu/articles/education/what-is-situational-leadership.aspx.