Situational leadership is all about being able to adapt your leadership style to fit what’s happening around you and what your team needs at the moment. Instead of sticking to one way of leading, a situational leader knows how to change their approach based on the specific challenges the team is facing or the environment they’re in. This isn’t about how skilled a leader is in general, but rather their ability to read the situation and respond in the best way possible. According to Blanchard and Hersey, a situational leader can choose from different leadership styles depending on what the situation calls for.

1. Telling: This style is when a team needs a lot of direction and guidance. Leaders who use the telling style usually make all the decisions and then explain them to the team. It’s often used when the team is new or inexperienced, or when tasks need to be done in a specific, repetitive way.
2. Selling: This approach is used when the team or an individual isn’t motivated to get the job done. The leader needs to convince and inspire them to take action.
3. Participating: Leaders use the participating style when the team knows how to do the tasks but might lack the confidence or motivation to get them done. The leader works alongside the team, helping them feel more comfortable and engaged.
4. Delegating: This style is for teams that are already doing a great job on their own. The leader steps back and lets the team take the lead, offering support only when needed.

Understanding the group development process helps leaders apply the right leadership style. For example, knowing that a team is in the Storming stage can guide a leader to focus on resolving conflicts and motivating the team, which aligns with the Selling style. Conversely, recognizing that a team is in the Performing stage encourages the use of the Delegating style to empower the team and capitalize on their high level of competence.

In summary, Tuckman’s model provides insight into the developmental phases of a team, while Situational Leadership Theory offers strategies for adapting leadership approaches to meet the team’s evolving needs throughout these stages. By integrating these two concepts, young leaders can more effectively guide their teams through each phase of development and enhance overall team performance.

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