Hersey and Blanchards

Situation Leadership

Cody, Ellis,
Sarah, Shonice
& Whitney

Definition

A leadership theory that focuses on

the readiness of followers.

Readiness

Readiness is the
extent to which
people have the
ability and
willingness to
accomplish a
specific task.

Leadership Styles

Telling: Leader defines roles

Selling: Leader provides directive
and supportive behaviour
Participating: Leader and follower
share decision making
Delegating: Leader provides little
direction

How it Works

Views the leaderfollower

relationship as
similar to a parentchild relationship:

High Readiness =
less control
Low Readiness =
directive control

Results

Research efforts to test this theory

have been disappointing
Why?

Internal inconsistencies
Research methodology

Real World

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

All managers attended a training class

After the training:

Lower turnover rate

Increase in certain store sales
Increase in management performance
ratings

Works Cited

Blanchard, Ken. Corporate Training &

Development. 2005. Online. December
11, 2011.

http://
www.kenblanchard.com/img/pub/news_Coffee_
Bean.pdf

Situational Leadership. Manage Well.

2006. Online. December 09, 2011.

http://managewell.net/wp-content/uploads/2009
/07/situational.gif