Situational Leadership Theories

Situational Leadership and Situational Leadership II are the two primary situational leadership theories. They both define the development levels of followers and the leadership behavior needed to best handle each development level.

History

Situational Leadership was developed by Paul Hershey and Ken Blanchard in the late 1960s. Blanchard created a new leadership training corporation in 1979 and debuted his updated version of the theory, Situational Leadership II (SLII), in 1985.

Similarities

In both theories, leadership is defined in terms of task-related, or directive, behavior and relationship-related, or supportive, behavior. Both have four leadership styles based on these behaviors and both have four follower development categories.

Differences

The main difference between the two models is in the definitions for the followers. The original model used "ability" and "willingness" to define a follower's "readiness," while the SLII model uses "competence" and "commitment" to rate a follower's level of development.

Utility

Both models are designed so that a leader can evaluate the needs of her followers and then choose the leadership style that best suits those needs. The leader must be able to evaluate the follower properly and also properly identify her own behavior pattern for either system to work.

Application

Both models are widely used in the corporate world. Situational Leadership was adopted into the U.S. military shortly after its development and both models are still used in military leadership training.

Fun Fact

Ken Blanchard is also the author of many management and leadership books, including his most recognized book, "The One-Minute Manager."