SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP (HERSEY & BLANCHARD)

Question 1

Generell

Answer 1

Different situations require different styles of leadership which means, that an effective leader needs to adapt to every different situation he is facing. The leader should recognize the competencies of his followers and match his style of leadership to the skills of the followers.

Question 2

2 Forms of Behavior

Answer 2

• Directive Behavior (one-way communication):
  
  • Helps followers to achieve goals
  • Needs to communicate the goal, define timelines and methods on how to reach them (no vice versa)
• Supportive Behavior (two-way communication):
  
  • 2-way communication between leader and followers (vice versa)
  • seeking for input, moderating, problem solving, praises people and listens

Question 3

Strengths & Weaknesses of the Situational Approach

Answer 3

Pros

• High practicability
• Prescription value: recipe for the leader
• Emphasizes leader flexibility
• Reminds to treat each follower differently

Cons

• Assumptions not justified by research
• Ambiguous conceptualization of followers’ development levels
• Fails to account for gender or demographic characteristics