ABSTRACT
P. Hersey and K. Blanchard’s Situational Leadership model can be used either when choosing how to respond to a given situation involving an individual or when developing a team. In particular, when performance begins to slip and/or ability or motivation decreases, the leader should reassess the readiness level and move backward through the leadership curve, providing the appropriate socio-emotional support and direction. The authors suggest that managers must adopt different leadership styles depending on the ‘readiness’ level of the individual to be led. Leadership model is often criticised for failing to distinguish between management and leadership, as many of the requisite behaviours could be more closely associated with that of management as opposed to leadership.
