Page 90 - leadership-experience-2008

CikguOnline
CikguOnline

Text not available due to copyright restrictions

with a concern for task achievement more effectively than high or low LPC lead-
ers, making them more adaptable to a variety of situations.
10
New research has continued to improve Fiedler’s model, and it is still con-
sidered an important contribution to leadership studies. However, its major im-
pact may have been to stir other researchers to consider situational factors more
seriously. A number of other situational theories have been developed in the years
since Fiedler’s original research.

Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Theory

The situational theory developed by Hersey and Blanchard is an interesting extension Situational theory
Situational theory
Hersey and Blanchard’s
of the leadership grid outlined in Chapter 2. This approach focuses on the charac- Hersey and Blanchard’s
extension of the Leadership Grid
teristics of followers as the important element of the situation, and consequently extension of the Leadership Grid
focusing on the characteristics
focusing on the characteristics
of determining effective leader behavior. The point of Hersey and Blanchard’s of followers as the important
of followers as the important
element of the situation, and
theory is that subordinates vary in readiness level. People low in task readiness, element of the situation, and
consequently, of determining
because of little ability or training, or insecurity, need a different leadership style consequently, of determining
effective leader behavior
effective leader behavior
than those who are high in readiness and have good ability, skills, confi dence, and
willingness to work. 11
According to the situational theory, a leader can adopt one of four leader-
ship styles, based on a combination of relationship (concern for people) and task
(concern for production) behavior. The appropriate style depends on the readiness
level of followers. Exhibit 3.4 summarizes the relationship between leader style
and follower readiness. The upper part of the exhibit indicates the four leader
styles: telling, selling, participating, and delegating. The telling style reflects a high

concern for tasks and a low concern for people and relationships. This is a very
71