Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory

1. HERSEY-BLANCHARD
SITUATIONAL
LEADERSHIPTHEORY
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2. Pro’s 2
*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.

3. Con’s 3
*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 doesn’t seem to bear
out the predictions

4. “Life cycle theory leadership”
was renamed “Situational
Leadership Theory”.
“There is no single or best style of
leadership”
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5. 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.
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6. Two fundamental concepts:
1. Leadership styles
2. Maturity levels of
individual or group
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7. Leadership styles
amount of Task Behavior
relationship behavior
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. Four Permutation of competency-
commitment:
D1
Low competence and high commitment
D2
Some competence and low commitment
D3
High competence and low commitment
D4
High competence and high commitment
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11. Four Development Levels
Match to The Four
Corresponding Styles of
Leadership
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12. 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
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13. D2-Some competence, Low commitment
S2-Coaching/Selling
need direction and supervision
need support and praise
involvement in decision making
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. The Key Characteristic of
effective leadership:
to assess the situation correctly
select
apply the appropriate style
continuously review your choice
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19. The only place where success comes
before work is in the dictionary”.-Vidal
Sassoon
Thank You!
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