Situational leadership theory focuses on followers' readiness and proposes four leadership styles - telling, selling, participating, and delegating - that are appropriate for different levels of follower development and task complexity. The path-goal theory states that effective leaders help followers achieve their goals by removing obstacles and providing direction or support. It draws from expectancy theory of motivation and suggests leaders can be directive, supportive, participative, or achievement-oriented depending on the situation. Both theories link leadership style to follower motivation.

1.  Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard developed a leadership theory that has gained a
strong following among management
 This model, called situational leadership theory (SLT), is a contingency theory that
focuses on followers’ readiness.
 Before we proceed, two points need clarification: why a leadership theory focuses
on the followers and what is meant by the term readiness
 There are four specific leadership styles described as follows
SITUATIONAL THEORY

2. TELLING SELLING
PARTICIPATING DELEGATING
R4
R3
R2
R1
Developing
Developed

3. Path-Goal Model
 which states that the leader’s job is to assist followers in attaining their goals and
to provide direction or support needed to ensure that their goals are compatible
with the goals of the group or organization.
 Developed by Robert House, path-goal theory takes key elements from the
expectancy theory of motivation.
 The term path-goal is derived from the belief that effective leaders remove the
roadblocks and pitfalls so that followers have a clearer path to help them get from
where they are to the achievement of their work goals.

4.  Directive leader: Lets subordinates know what’s expected of them, schedules work to be done, and gives
specific guidance on how to accomplish tasks.
 Supportive leader: Shows concern for the needs of followers and is friendly.
 Participative leader: Consults with group members and uses their suggestions before making a decision.
 Achievement-oriented leader: Sets challenging goals and expects followers to perform at their highest
level.
LEADERSHIP STYLE

6. Advantages and disadvantages
• Advantages:
• Shows how style influences subordinate motivation
• Links motivational theory to leadership theory
• Highlights the role of leaders is to help their subordinates achieve
• Disadvantages:
• Complex
• Sometimes more than one style of leadership is required.
• All responsibility is on the shoulder of leader.