HERSEY-BLANCHARD

SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP
THEORY
 Life cycle theory leadership was renamed
Situational Leadership Theory.

There is no single or best style of leadership

Effective leadership is:
task relevant

leaders adapt their leadership style to the

maturity.
ability to take responsibility for the task.

relevant education or an experience of an

individual or group for the task.
 Two fundamental concepts:
1. Leadership styles
2. Maturity levels of individual or group
Leadership styles
amount of Task Behavior

relationship behavior
FOUR BEHAVIOR OF LEADERSHIP STYLE:
S1:Telling
characterize by one-way communication

S2:Selling

attempts to convince the group

S3:Participating

the leader shares decision making with the group

S4:Delegating

the leader is still involved in making decision

FOUR MATURITY LEVELS OF THE GROUP:
M- 1:basic incompetence or unwillingness in
doing the task.
M- 2:inability to do the task but willing to do so.

M-3:competent to do the task but do not think

they can.
M-4:the group is ready, willing and able to do the
task
FOUR PERMUTATION OF
COMPETENCYCOMMITMENT

D1- Low competence and high commitment

D2-Some competence and low commitment

D3- High competence and low commitment

D4- High competence and high commitment

FOUR DEVELOPMENT LEVELS MATCH TO THE FOUR
CORRESPONDING STYLES OF LEADERSHIP
 D1-Low competence, High commitment
S1-Directing/Telling

need to be shown how to do something

are enthusiastic and committed

willing to accept direction

need direction and supervision

 D2-Some competence, Low commitment
S2-Coaching/Selling

need direction and supervision

need support and praise

involvement in decision making

 D3-High competence, Low variable commitment
S3-Supporting/ Encouraging

competent but who still lack of confidence or

motivation
they do not need much direction

need support and encouragement

 D4-High competence, High commitment
S4-Delegating/ Empowering

high levels of both competence and commitment

both able and willing to work by themselves with

little supervision or interventions
THE KEY CHARACTERISTIC OF EFFECTIVE
LEADERSHIP:

to assess the situation correctly

select

apply the appropriate style

continuously review your choice

Pros
*The simplicity of the theory makes it easy to
apply.
*The theory has simple scales that a leader can use
to give a thumb in the wind assessment of what
leadership style to use.
*Maturity and competence of the group are often
overlooked factors in good leadership and it helps
to focus on these.
Cons
*The theory may not be applicable to managers as
administrators or those with limited power but in
structurally in a leadership position.
*There are situations in which the theory may be
less applicable such as those involving time
constraints and task complexity.
*Testing of the theory doesnt seem to bear out the
predictions