Situational Leadership Model

Southern State University of San Diego

Situational Leadership Model

In this paper I am going to explain and describe Situational Leadership Model. In my view to understand this model clearly, better to use an example of the evolution of an employee from beginner to professional. This model shows a life cycle of employee divided into the four "periods" and explain how to use mix of task-oriented and relations-oriented leader behaviors for better performance. This model divided life cycle into four degrees of mutuality. But this division is conditional. In real life it is a continuous process of the evolution of a person as a professional. These four degrees of mutuality I will call beginner - M1, intermediate - M2, advanced - M3, and upper advanced - M4.

Beginner, period M1.

We can see it when a new one come into the company, or was moved to new position. Or new project or work process was introduced. In M1 period the employee don't have or have very little knowledge about his or her responsibilities, also don't have any skills about his or her tasks or responsibilities. Of course it doesn't mean that person unskilled or knows nothing at all. This task just could be new for him or her, and s/he could have very good professional just in another field. In this period a leader should use task-oriented behavior and keep relation-oriented behavior in low level. Leader should explain and guide all tasks and functions to new subordinate in very professional, calm, clear, and patient way. S/he should do it in clear way, with emphasized high points and difficult parts monitor all process as frequent as possible. But the level of relation-oriented behavior is very low, usually.

Intermediate, period M2.

This period comes when the subordinate work or know about his/her responsibilities well, have some experience in task or responsibilities s/he have or must do. But this knowledge are basic and, maybe, uncertain. Subordinates in this period mostly know his or her day-to-day tasks, also skill are appropriate. Level of mutuality is increasing in this period. Leader should be ready and show willing to help if subordinate will have any problem. Leader have still should support subordinates, consult them, give advises, and suggestions mush more less then at first period. Thus, the level of task-oriented behavior is low, and level of the relations-oriented is getting higher.

Advanced, period M3.

Period M2 and Period M3 are very similar to each other. Level of relations-oriented behavior is high. But the level of task-oriented is significantly lower. In this period subordinate is good skilled and have more responsibilities. At this level the subordinate able to do all his or her tasks and responsibilities without help