1.5 - About University

9.2 M ATCHING Y OUR L EADERSHIP S TYLETO THE S ITUATIONInspired by Paul Hersey, Ken Blanchard, Robert Tannenbaum, and Warren Schmidt.Among the most successful leadership models is a group characterized as contingency or situationalmodels. The common theme of these models is that there is not one best way to lead.That is, effective leaders adapt their behaviors to each unique situation. Thus, a leader will bevery directive in one set of circumstances, yet delegate an entire project in another. Note thatyour success as a leader is not only dependent on matching your style to the situation, but isalso related to developing and moving people along the continuum (from a closely supervisedapprentice on the left, to a skilled, confident, and highly motivated leader on the right).T HE SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONTINUUMLeadershipbehaviorMakesdecisions andprovidesdirections onhow toimplement.Makesdecisions and“sells” toothers.Presentsdecisions andinvitesquestions.Presentsdecisions butremainsopen torefinements.Presentsproblemsand invitessuggestionsfor solvingthem.Works withothers toframeproblems andconstraints;thendelegates.Clarifiesissues andgoals, turnsjob over toother personfor action.Directive BehaviorSupervises closely anduses authority as a leader.Participative BehaviorDelegates the wholejob to othersSituational Variables:Nature ofthe jobStructured, onebest way to dothe job.Job moderatelycomplex.Job highlycomplex.Ability ofpeople todo theworkWillingnessof peopleto do theworkBeginner;doesn’t knowhow.Low maturity,very lowconfidence.Person needsto know whyto understandhow to do thejob.Personbeginning tobuild expertise.Moderatelyexpert; cancomplete thetask within clearparameters.Wants freedomto do the jobwithinconstraints.Person isexpert; mayknow jobbetter thanleader.Person veryexpert; able toinnovate ifgiven thechance.Person hasexpertise andgood projectmanagementskills.High maturityand confidence;able and selfstarting.Amount ofcoachingand followthroughrequiredProvide intensivecoachingto help theperson learnbasic skills.Provide coachingto help theperson becomecapable of taskanalysis.Provide coachingto help theperson becomecapable andindependent.Provide coachingfor goalcongruence andcontinuedlearning.SECTION 9 TOOLS FOR LEADING AND INFLUENCING OTHERS 267