Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model

Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model

Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory (1970 & 1980s)

2 Fundamental Concepts / Pillars

      Leadership style

      Individual or group’s i.e. follower’s maturity level

Leadership/Behavioral Style

Four Major Leadership Style

      Telling/Directing Style

·         One way communication in which leader provides clear instructions and specific direction.

      Selling/Coaching Style

 Leader-

·         Encourages two way communications.

·         Helps build confidence and motivation of employee, although s/he still has responsibility.

·         Controls decision making.

      Participating/supporting Style

Leader-

·         Provides less task behaviour.

·         Maintains high relationships.

      Delegating Style

Leader-

·         Appropriate leaders where followers are ready to accomplish a particular task.

·         Where leaders and followers both are competent and motivated to take full responsibility.

1.      Telling Style-à High Task/Low Relationship Behaviour

2.      Selling Style-àHigh Task/High Relationship Behaviour

3.      Participating Style-àLow Task/High Relationship Behaviour

4.      Delegating Style-àLow Task/High Relationship Behaviour

Maturity Levels of Followers/Readiness of Followers

      Followers have the ability and willingness to accomplish a specific task.

v  Four possible categories of followers maturity-

                                                                                i.            R₁àUnable &Unwilling

                                                                              ii.            R₂àUnable but Willing

                                                                            iii.            R₃àAble but Unwilling

                                                                            iv.            R₄àAble & Willing

                                Follower                                                    Leader

                                Directed                                                     Directed

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Leadership Style Appropriate for Various Maturity Levels

Components of Maturity

      Achievement motivation(Mc Cleland)

      Education /Experience relevant to the task behaviour

      Ability (Job Maturity)

      Willingness (Psychological Ability)

Steps/Applications/Processes in Situational Leadership:

Leaders should:

      Make an overview per employee of his tasks

      Asess the employee on each task(R₁..R₄)

      Decide on the leadership (Management) style per task (S₁..S₄)

      Discuss the situation with employee

      Male a joint plan

      Follow up, check and correct

Advantages:

      Easy to understand

      Easy to use

Summing UP…

      To determine appropriate leadership style to use in a given situation,leader must first determine maturity level of followers in relation to specific task.

      As the level of follower’s maturity increases, leader should begin to reduce his task behaviour and increases relationship behaviour untill the followers reach a moderate level of maturity.

      Once the maturity level is identified, appropriate leadership style can be determined.