Situational Leadership
Situational leadership is an adaptive approach where the leader adjusts their style based on the maturity, competence, and commitment of the team or individual.
Explanation
Developed by Hersey and Blanchard, situational leadership recognizes that no single leadership style works in every situation. Instead, effective leaders assess the readiness level of their team members and adapt their behavior accordingly. The model defines four leadership styles: directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating.
For new or inexperienced team members, a directing style with clear instructions is most appropriate. As competence grows but commitment may waver, a coaching approach provides both direction and support. For capable but less confident individuals, a supporting style offers encouragement while reducing direct oversight. Finally, for highly competent and committed team members, delegating authority is most effective.
PMI values adaptive leadership because project teams are dynamic. Members join and leave, skill levels vary, and circumstances change throughout the project life cycle. A project manager who can flex between styles based on the situation will be more effective than one who applies a rigid approach.
Key Points
- •Leader adapts style based on team member readiness and maturity
- •Four styles: directing, coaching, supporting, delegating
- •Based on the Hersey-Blanchard model
- •Aligns with PMI emphasis on adaptive, context-sensitive leadership
Exam Tip
The exam may describe a team at various maturity levels. Match the leadership style to readiness: low readiness = directing, moderate = coaching or supporting, high = delegating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Servant Leadership
Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy in which the leader prioritizes serving the team, removing impediments, and empowering individuals to perform at their best.
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is a style in which the leader inspires and motivates team members to exceed expectations by creating a compelling vision and fostering innovation.
Mentoring and Coaching
Mentoring is a long-term developmental relationship where an experienced person guides a less experienced person, while coaching is a focused, shorter-term process aimed at improving specific skills or performance.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions and to recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.
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