Situational Leadership

As we are leading teams and volunteers each of us are going to face challenges moments with our people.  The key for us in these moments is to guide our “thought leadership” toward the different types of guidance that is required from us in that moment. We have to size up the situation and the people with four different types of leadership that is required of us in that moment.

1)     Supporting Leadership – this leadership style is characterized by shared decision-making about the task that need to be completed by the team or individual.

2)     Coaching Leadership – this leadership style is characterized by active learning & live interaction that will allow the team or individual to buy-in together.

3)     Delegating Leadership – this leadership style is characterized by passing on responsibility to the team or individual.

4)     Directing Leadership – this leadership style is characterized by polite one-way communication where the leader defines the full process to the individual or team.

The key is to remember that we are thought leaders and that depending on the program, person, or the problem different leadership styles may be required. This requires us to know that there may be moments we need to “direct” or “support,”  but there may also be times that a mix between two styles may be an option. The key is that we are leading and leaning into situations with a keen awareness of the style that is appropriate.