Fitting leadership style to the situation

Another way of thinking of team leadership is in terms of four overall styles: directive,
achievement-oriented, supportive and facilitative. The first two are primarily transactional
and the last two more transformational. Choosing one depends partly on your own
personality but it should also be appropriate for the situation. This is a combination of the
task the team has to perform (how clear and predictable it is) and the strength of the team
members in skills, motivation and confidence.

Choose a directive, transactional style, set goals and give guidance and rewards as
appropriate when the task your team members must per- form is not clear or
straightforward and they do not have a high level of skill or confidence in the task.

Select an achievement-oriented (transactional) style by setting challenging goals and

communicating your expectations that your team members will perform at the highest level.
Reward for achievement. Use this style when the task is very clear, and your team members
have a high level of skill, ability and motivation for the task.

A supportive (transformational) style that involves showing concern for followers is more
appropriate when the task is very clear and predictable but the team members have a low
level of skill, ability, confidence or motivation.

Finally, a participative (transformational) style, which is characterized by the leader

consulting with team members before making decisions, is most appropriate when the task
is unclear and complex, but the team members have a high level of skill relevant to the task
and are highly motivated.