Delegation using situational leadership

Situational leadership suggests, as the name implies, that there is no one right way of leading (and potentially delegating), and that the right approach depends upon the situation. Different situations may call for different styles. The suggestion is there are four main ways of delegating:

The thinking extends to suggest the following:

• Each style is appropriate in different situations. For example, an urgent and critical situation may require a more Directive style than a long term culture change programme.

• The appropriate style changes as the manager’s relationship with team members develops. A new joiner may need to be told what to do initially, but as they learn, we need to help them think through how to develop their role, then support them until eventually they become self sufficient, and we are able to fully delegate activity.

As usual this article summarises the approach briefly for the benefit of our business leader readership. To understand the thinking more fully please read Leadership and the One Minute Manager.