Situational leadership

Situational leadership refers to a management style in which the leaders/managers adapt their managing style according to the task, team or project they’re working on. When working with people it’s up to followers to adjust to the leader’s style and not the other way.

Situational leadership definition

Situational leadership refers to a management style in which the leaders/managers adapt their managing style according to the task, team or project they’re working on. When working with people it’s up to followers to adjust to the leader’s style and not the other way.

Situational leadership types

1. Telling is an authoritative, direct style where the leader communicates in a one-way capacity exactly what everyone’s roles are and what they need to do.

2. Selling operates similarly to, except the leader offers support and guidance to allow participants to buy into the process.

3. Participating is a social style where the leader provides less guidance and focuses on shared decision-making.

4. Delegating occurs when the main responsibilities have been given to others and the leader’s role is to participate and monitor.

The maturity level of the audience

The audience that follows the leader can be on different levels of maturity, depending on the experience and knowledge it possesses.

1. M1: lacking the skills needed for the task and can’t or won’t take responsibility for the task

2. M2: willing to work at the task but lack the skills to do so.

3. M3: possess enough skills but lack confidence or willingness to take responsibility for the task

4. M4: have the skills and experience to perform the task well, and are confident and willing to take responsibility for the task’s results