LS-17 Situational Leadership

Question 1

1. Describe task and relationship behavior.

Answer 1

a. Task Behavior: Clearly telling people: What to do, How to do it, Where to do it, and When to do it. Closely Supervising Performance.
b. Relationship Behavior: Listening to your people. Providing support and encouragement. Facilitating involvement in problem solving and decision making.

Question 2

2. Describe each leadership style in the Situational Leadership Model.

Answer 2

a. Telling: Low Relationship/High Task: One way communication. Leader solves problems and makes key decisions. Leader directs, then guides the roles of followers as they progress.
b. Selling: High Relationship/High Task: Two way communication. Hears suggestions, ideas, and opinions. Maintains decision making. Employs persuasion. Explains actions.
c. Participating: High Relationship/Low Task: Focus of control shifts to the follower. Follower has the ability and knowledge to complete the task. Leader actively listens and builds confidence.
d. Delegating: Low Relationship/Low Task: Follower makes key decisions and implements the decisions. The leader: gets updates, offers resource support, delegates tasks, and encourages risk taking.

Question 3

3. Explain how to assess followers’ performance readiness.

Answer 3

a. Ability: Knowledge, Skills, Experience

b. Willingness: Confidence, Commitment, Motivation

Question 4

4. DESCRIBE each performance readiness level in the Situational Leadership Model.

Answer 4

a. R1: Unable and insecure or unwilling.
b. R2: Unable, but confident or willing.
c. R3: Able, but insecure or unwilling.
d. R4: Able, Confident, Willing, and Ready to Achieve

Question 5

5. Identify the leadership style appropriate for each performance readiness level.

Answer 5

a. R1: Leadership Style = Telling
b. R2: Leadership Style = Selling
c. R3: Leadership Style = Participating
d. R4: Leadership Style = Delegating