Here is my presentation on Situational Leadership Theory.

1. z
Situational
Leadership
EDUC 5401 – Principles and Process of
Educational Leadership

2. z
Description
 This theory states that instead of using just one style, successful
leaders should change their leadership style based on the ”readiness”
of the people they're leading and the details of the task. (Schnilder,
2015)
 Leaders need to evaluate the situation, the circumstances, and the
individuals involved in their group. Then they choose the most
appropriate type of leadership style to use for that given circumstance.
(Gaille, 2018)

3. z
Situational Leadership Styles
 Situational Leadership is broken down into four
different categories of behaviors that are either
high or low in either directive or supportive
styles.
 Each category determines what style needs to
be used based on the situation that is presented
and the four different developmental (or
”readiness”) levels of the follower.

4. z Situational Leadership Styles Explained
 Directing
 Associated with autocratic leaders.
 Leaders make all the decisions without consulting followers.
 Coaching
 Leader is more receptive to input and feedback from followers.
 They ”sell” their ideas and plans to their followers to obtain their cooperation.
 Supporting
 Leader participates in decision making, but most decisions made by the group.
 Often appear to be “quiet”.
 Delegating
 Leader provides minimal direction and guidance.
 More concerned with vision than day-to-day.

5. z
Underlying Assumptions
 There is no one size fits all model of leadership.
 That followers are at varying levels of “readiness”.
 That leaders are able to accurately assess the followers
readiness and effectively change their leadership style
accordingly.

6. z
Main Authors
 Dr. Paul Hersey: a professor
and author of "The Situational
Leader”.
Kenneth H. Blanchard: author
of the best selling "The One-
Minute Manager," among
others.

7. z
Time Period of Development
 In 1969, Blanchard and Hersey developed Situational
Leadership Theory in their book Management of
Organizational Behavior.
 This theory was first called the “Life Cycle Theory of
Leadership.” During the mid-1970s, it was renamed the
Situational Leadership Theory.

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Pros of Situational Leadership
 It’s simple. All the leader needs to do is evaluate the situation
and apply the correct leadership style.
 It’s intuitive. With the right type of leader, this style is
comfortable.
 Leaders have permission to change styles as they see fit.
 It’s flexible. It adapts to the existing work environment and
the needs of the organization.

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Cons of Situational Leadership
 It requires a high level of judgment.
 It requires the leader to be able to appropriately
assess the followers readiness.
 Requires the leader to be versed in many different
styles of leadership.
 Can be ineffective in task-orientated environments.

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References
 Gaille, B. (2018 December 10). 13 situational leadership advantages and disadvantages.
Retrieved from https://brandongaille.com/13-situational-leadership-advantages-and-
disadvantages/
 Mcloughlin, M.J. (2016 February 10). Situational leadership in the classroom. Retrieved from
https://sites.psu.edu/leadership/2016/02/10/situational-leadership-in-the-classroom/
 Models, F. (n.d). Situational Leadership. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ljubomir_Jacic2/post/Which_style_of_leadership_describes
_your_approach_autocratic_or_democratic2/attachment/59d62e73c49f478072e9f086/AS:27357
5699779600@1442236937677/download/Situational+leadership.pdf.
 Shnilder, D. (2015). The Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership theory: choosing the right
leadership style for the right people. Retrieved from https://www.donnaschilder.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/09/The-Hersey-Blanchard-Situational-Leadership®-Theory.pdf
 St. Thomas University. (2020). What Is situational leadership? How flexibility leads to success.
Retrieved from https://online.stu.edu/articles/education/what-is-situational-
leadership.aspx#history