Situational Leadership Definition

Situational leadership is a theory developed in the 1970s by American psychologist Paul Hersey and management professor Kenneth H. Blanchard. It posits that there is no one leadership style that is universally effective, but that the best style of leadership to use depends on the current situation.

The theory has four main concepts:

1. Situational leaders adapt their behavior to the developmental level of the people they are trying to lead.

2. The appropriate leadership style depends on both the leader’s and follower’s willingness and ability to complete a task.

3. The leader must be able to diagnose the situation correctly in order to choose the right leadership style.

4. The leader must be able to adjust their style as the situation changes.

The situational leadership model is often used in business settings, as it can help managers adapt their behavior to different employees and tasks. It can also be useful in other settings, such as schools or volunteer organizations.