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Situational Leadership Model

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Situational Leadership Model
Situational Leadership Model
For Project Management
The Situational Leadership Model developed by Ken Blanchard and Paul Hersey is one of the most practical leadership theories for project managers.
As a project manager, you'll find that you usually have little to no direct authority over the members of your project team. As a result, your ability to influence will become a major determinant of your success.
The Situational Leadership Model provides you with a framework that you can use to determine what type of leadership style would be most effective based on your followers ability and willingness to perform the desired task.
The basic premise of Situational Leadership Theory is that there is no one "best" way to lead a team. In other words, the leadership style you should use should be adjusted based on the situation. More specifically, it is dependent on the "maturity" of the specific follower you are trying to influence.
Follower Maturity Levels
Follower maturity is divided into four levels ranging from low maturity to high maturity. Situational Leadership Theory
Follower Maturity Levels
Maturity can also be thought of as a followers readiness to be led. It is based on their ability to perform the task and their willingness to perform the task.
Maturity
Level Description
M1
Low The group or individual is not able and not willing to do the given task.
M2
Low to Moderate The group or individual is not able but willing to do the given task.
M3
Moderate to High The group or individual is able but not willing to do the given task.
M4
High The group or individual is able and willing to do the given task.
Situational Leadership Styles
The type of situational leadership style you use will be based on your followers maturity level. Each leadership style is a combination of "task behavior" and "relationship behavior."
Task behavior refers to the amount of direction a leader provides to his followers. For example, telling them what to do, how to

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