Situational Leadership Theory Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Situational Leadership Theory?

Situational Leadership Theory is a theory developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard in the 1960s. It is one of the most widely used leadership theories today, as it provides an easy way to understand and apply different styles of leadership depending on the situation at hand. The theory proposes that there are four main types of leadership: Directive, Supportive, Participative, and Delegative. Each type has its own unique characteristics when it comes to providing direction and support to followers, such as how much authority they have over them or what kind of feedback they provide. The directive style of Situational Leadership involves giving clear instructions on what needs to be done and expecting those directions to be followed without question. This style tends to work best in situations where there is no room for negotiation or compromise because it allows for direct orders from the leader with little need for discussion beforehand. The supportive style emphasizes the importance of building relationships between leaders and their followers in order to achieve common goals more efficiently. Supporters help motivate people through encouragement instead of relying solely on punishment or reprimand when things don’t go according to plan. They also listen closely so that they can meet individual needs better as well as build trust within their team/organization/community etc.. Participative leaders believe that involving everyone in decision-making processes helps create a sense of ownership among members which can lead to greater productivity overall. They take into account opinions from all parties involved before making any final decisions while also keeping an open mind towards new ideas presented by others during discussions too. Finally, delegative leaders give their team members autonomy in completing tasks but remain available if needed if they run into any issues along the way this encourages initiative taking while still providing some guidance just in case something goes wrong later down the line. These types tend not to micromanage unless absolutely necessary since they realize that many times employees know exactly what needs doing without needing constant oversight from above. Overall, situational leadership theory provides a useful framework for evaluating different approaches based on current circumstances; allowing managers/leadership teams alike plenty flexibility when deciding how best proceed with certain projects or initiatives at hand – allowing maximum efficiency with minimal effort invested.