Page 28 - MS Year in Review 2020

headlights,” some leaders can be virtually paralyzed and unable to make a

decision. They seem (and virtually are) frozen and unable to make up their minds
about what to do.

Sometimes the leader of a strategic business unit (“SBU”) is handcuffed by the
parent company. In that case a leader that appears to be frozen is actually shackled

by the parent company. At other times, the leader is handcuffed by his or her own
personality and fearful of making the wrong decision. However, unlike the bias for

action, the inability to make a decision is not supported by theory or popular
culture. A leader experiencing this syndrome is likely to be criticized for lack of
moving quickly or the failure to act--period. Such a leader will undoubtedly be

viewed as a “weak leader.” Hence the desire to avoid be characterized as a weak
leader is yet another factor leading to or reinforcing the more common phenomenon

of a bias for action.

Situational Leadership: Optimum Leadership Style depends on the
situation

Situations matter. They determine the type of leadership response required.

Under certain conditions or situations, a bias for action is an advantage; in other

circumstances to situations it can cause great harm. It depends upon then
situation.

Types of Leadership Approaches

Although there are many different ways to categorize leadership approaches, we

will identify a typology that is appropriate for our purposes in this situation. These
are:

 Entrepreneurial: Ready-Fire-Aim

 Bureaucratic: Ready, Ready, Ready…
 Professional manager: Ready-Aim-Fire

Each is described below.

27
© Management Systems Consulting Corporation, 2020. All rights reserved