Dec
2018
Chapter 5: Situational Approach
Lauren Dodge
Dr. Wood
Leadership 1301
13 September 2018
Review Questions
Chapter 5: Situational Approach
- What is situational leadership?
This type of leadership focuses on the theory that different situations demand different approaches. A person must adapt to the demands of the situation.
- What researchers are associated with the most important situational leadership studies?
Hersey and Blanchard 1969
- What are the characteristics of the four categories of directive and supportive behaviors?
Delegating- facilitates followers confidence and motivation in reference to the goal
Supporting- uses supportive behaviors that bring out skills around the goal to be accomplished
Coaching- focuses communication on goal achievement and meeting followers socioemotional needs
Directing- focuses communication on goal achievement
- What are the characteristics of the four levels by which employee development can be classified?
Development is described as the level of which the follower has competence and commitment necessary to accomplish a goal or activity.
- How can a leader best determine the developmental level of followers?
They are classified into four categories. D1 to D4 or developing to developed. D1 is low in competence but high in commitment. D2 is having some competence but low commitment. D3 is moderate to high competence but varied commitment. D4 is high competence and high commitment.
- Why should developmental levels not be used to label followers?
They are supposed to be used as development goals rather than labels.
- How does the developmental continuum work?
The continuum is a placement for followers and what level they are where development is concerned.
- In the SLII Model, why does commitment go down for D3 subordinates?
There is a 1:1 relationship between D1 and D2 so the follower needs to adopt traits from S1.
- Explain why it might be difficult for some leaders to exhibit Style 4 leadership.
Many managers and leaders are very goal-oriented and their goal is to push and lead others toward a common goal, but instead, in this situation, they have to shift their own focus to motivate others.
- What are strengths of the situational approach?
-History of usefulness in the marketplace
-Practicality
-prescriptive value
-emphasizes leader flexibility
-reminds us to treat each follower based on goal
- What are criticisms of the situational approach?
-only a few studies have been conducted
-concerns conceptualization in development
-how the model matches leader style
-fails to account for demographics
- How do demographic characteristics affect employees’ preferences for a particular leadership style?
A study showed that the level of education and job experience were related to directive leadership instead of supportive leadership. Followers with more education and more experience preferred less structure.